tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:18:29 +0000"A short but sordid history under Republican governors""Fresh investigation" uncovers "explosive allegations" against Vern"Business groups rejoice""Grim"Crist in a "politically awkward decision"Crist insists he's a wingnutCrist leaving Floridians an "economic disaster"More blood for the bathRPOFers not "despondent"Silent San(som)Sink "hasn't persuaded the 'whatYou mean it was just a GOTV scam?me worry?' crowd"Florida PoliticsSince 2002, daily Florida political news and commentaryhttp://flapolitics.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)Blogger7206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-8174789584206817950Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:13:00 +00002015-03-02T09:13:44.210-05:00"This is the time to be in Tallahassee""Here’s what the 2015 legislative session looks like, by the numbers."<blockquote><em>There were 1,666 lobbyists registered as of late last week. That’s more than 10 for every lawmaker in the House and Senate.<p><p> There were 1,183 pieces of legislation on file — counting resolutions, memorials to Congress and actual proposed laws — of which a few hundred, at best, are likely to reach the governor’s desk.<p> And they’ve got 60 days to do it starting Tuesday. There’s always a late-session scare about going into overtime, but somehow they work it out.<p> That means a two-month ban on political fundraising for 88 House members who have already signed up for re-election in 2016. So have 13 state senators, along with six current or former House members hoping to move up to the Senate.<p> But their parties and various political front committees can still pass the hat for the campaign season that never really ends</em></blockquote>"From the session-eve Associated Industries of Florida reception, an annual party that draws nearly 2,000 big and small Capitol denizens, to the final handkerchief drop in the fourth floor rotunda on May Day, this is the time to be in Tallahassee."<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/28/political-prime-time-capital-comes-life-session/24207897/">Political prime time: Capital comes to life for session</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Rubio looks increasingly like a candidate"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/jeff-henderson-1">Jeff Henderson</a> writes that "Rubio looks increasingly like a candidate who will run in 2016, [but] he needs badly to get some daylight between himself and Bush. At the very least, Rubio’s comments at CPAC were a good start in that direction." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/marco-rubio-uses-common-core-distance-himself-jeb-bush">Marco Rubio Uses Common Core to Distance Himself from Jeb</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"The latest screwball idea making its way through the Legislature"</strong><p> Carl Hiaasen: "The latest screwball idea making its way through the Legislature: Allowing guns to be carried on college campuses." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/carl-hiaasen/article8028654.html">Lawmakers cooking up recipe for a bloodbath</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Better pay, less testing"</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150302/NEWS/150309951/-1/news300?Title=Volusia-teachers-rally-for-better-pay-less-testing">Volusia teachers rally for better pay, less testing</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Looming flood insurance crisis"</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Tribune</i> editors believe the "best way to fix the state’s looming flood insurance crisis is to create a marketplace that makes it easier for private companies to sell policies. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, who pushed last year to create a private market, is back this year with another proposal that would give private companies and customers a range of coverage options while at the same time giving assurances to lenders that the policies meet or exceed those offered by the federal government." "<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/editorial-a-legislative-session-with-key-decisions-for-floridas-future-and-tampas-too-20150301/?page=1">A legislative session with key decisions for Florida’s future, and Tampa’s, too</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Five lawmakers and five key issues to watch"</strong><p> "With the Florida Legislature set to open the 2015 session, here are five lawmakers and five key issues to watch this spring in Florida’s capital." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article11904416.html">Five people, five issues to watch in Florida’s 2015 session</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article11880962.html">Gov. Scott faces big hurdles to push his legislative agenda</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/01/guns-gambling-pot-prisons-among-hot-legislative-issues/24241387/">Florida's hot legislative issues: Guns, gambling, pot</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/03/this-is-time-to-be-in-tallahassee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-6039518338599068038Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:13:00 +00002015-03-01T09:13:21.643-05:00Jeb skirts rules, chases unlimited amounts of cash"As an actual candidate, Jeb Bush’s direct source of funds would be limited to $2,700 per person per election. But because he’s not officially running, his legal advisers contend he can chase unlimited amounts for his Right to Rise Super PAC." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article11843192.html">Jeb Bush exploits non-candidate status to rewrite campaign finance playbook</a>."<p> Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article11470271.html">Walker scores with conservatives; Bush still has work to do</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Capital comes to life"</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/28/political-prime-time-capital-comes-life-session/24207897/">Political prime time: Capital comes to life for session</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Massive gambling overhaul"</strong><p> "A massive gambling overhaul bill will hit lawmakers’ desks on the first day of the legislative session, but its sponsor is holding back on exactly what’s in it." "<a href="http://tbo.com/ap/gop-leaders-gambling-bill-heads-to-fla-lawmakers-20150227/?page=1">GOP leader’s gambling bill heads to Florida lawmakers</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-florida-forward-gambling-debate-20150224-story.html#navtype=outfit">Expansion of casino gambling draws dire warnings, praise</a>."<p><br><p><strong>No-bid contract</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ocoee-randolph-bracy-consulting-contract-20150226-story.html#navtype=outfit">Ocoee hires state rep as consultant in no-bid contract</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Flood of tests"</strong><p> "Florida’s largest teaching union, the Florida Education Association, thinks Gov. Rick Scott’s order suspending the standardized 11th grade English test this year falls too short to address the flood of tests faced by students and teachers." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-teachers-union-scott-testing-order-not-enough-20150224-post.html#navtype=outfit">Teachers union: Scott testing order not enough</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Taxpayers on hook for legal bill of disgraced Speaker</strong><p> "Florida taxpayers should foot most of the nearly $1 million legal bill of disgraced former House Speaker Ray Sansom, a Florida judge said Friday." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-ray-sansom-legal-fees-20150227-story.html#navtype=outfit">Judge: Taxpayers should pay legal bills for Ray Sansom</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Florida overtakes California with the most people on Obamacare</strong><p> "The Senate has supported health care expansion for the last couple of years, even passing its own version two years ago. The more conservative House, now led by Speaker Steve Crisafulli, has been staunchly opposed."<blockquote><em>Republican Gov. Rick Scott previously has voiced support, though he retreated from the issue during last year’s re-election campaign.<p> Last weekend, however, the Senate’s Republican leader called on the state to expand Medicaid in a speech to a business-friendly civic group.<p> Sen. Bill Galvano of Bradenton said funding health care for the working poor is a problem that “cannot be ignored,” according to news reports.</em></blockquote>"Darryl Paulson, a Republican and retired professor of government at the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg, said he doesn’t expect House leadership to reverse itself."<blockquote><em>“It’s like many things in politics,” he said. “They don’t want to do it unless they absolutely have to do it, and they don’t see that they absolutely have to do anything about it.”<p> At the same time, Paulson notes that Florida has overtaken California as the state with the most people — 1.6 million enrollees —signing up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.<p> “That in itself is interesting because clearly there’s been no support from the Republican leadership, from the governor,” Paulson said. “It’s ironic at the very least."</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/fragile-peace-keeps-medicaid-expansion-off-legislatures-agenda-20150301/?page=1">Fragile peace keeps Medicaid expansion off Legislature’s agenda</a>."<p><br><p><strong>A poverty thing</strong><p> "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/75221/car-insurance-florida/">Why Almost 1 in 4 Floridian Driver Has No Car Insurance: Poverty</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"State’s auditor general issues scathing audit"</strong><p> "The state’s auditor general issued a scathing audit about lapses of many kinds on Florida’s unemployment website." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article11400452.html">Auditor: Florida’s jobless claims website in disarray</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Scott missed that press conference</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2015/02/27/brevard-virginia-something-offer-harris/24117727/">Harris leaving Brevard for Virginia?</a>"<p><br><p><strong>Fact-checking the Legislature</strong><p> "When the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday, it will kick off a 60-day session during which legislators and Republican Gov. Rick Scott will fashion a budget and set policies on topics including K-12 tests, guns on college campus and whether to allow online voter registration." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article11744168.html">Fact-checking some claims tied to bills so far</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Weekly Roundup</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/weekly-roundup-shamed-speaker-redeemed-other-court-battles-focus-sunshine-0">Weekly Roundup: Shamed Speaker Redeemed; Other Court Battles Focus on Sunshine</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Privatization "at any cost"</strong><p> Paula Dockery: "Generally when a crisis occurs in a large organization, the CEO is expected to acknowledge and address the problem, keep stakeholders up to date on progress and be held accountable for the problems that occurred."<blockquote><em>Why is it then that Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott has been AWOL on the crisis within our prison system?</em></blockquote>"Here are some of the problems: A record number of inmate deaths, suspicious deaths not reported as such, claims of widespread prisoner abuse, drugs and contraband, investigator reports ignored, investigators intimidated and silenced, potential inspector general retaliation and cover-ups, four Department of Corrections (DOC) secretaries in as many years, crumbling buildings, leaky roofs, dilapidated vehicles, dangerously low staffing levels, excessive overtime costs, and questionable contracts for privatized services such as medical care."<blockquote><em>And yet when disturbing reports started surfacing — about a mentally ill prisoner who was scalded to death at Dade Correctional or a nonviolent offender seeking medical treatment who was punished and gassed to death instead — there was a shocking lack of concern from the governor. The silent indifference was so unsettling that former DOC Chief Jim McDonough exclaimed, “Where is the outrage?”<p> To date, the governor has not directly acknowledged the problems, answered questions nor communicated a plan of action. Instead he let his third DOC secretary, Mike Crews, take the heat. Crews resigned amid the growing scandal.<p> Crews admitted that during the re-election campaign, the governor’s then chief of staff, Adam Hollingsworth, told him he needed to take a bullet for the governor. Crews expressed frustration that the governor and his staff were more concerned with crafting news releases than with doing what needed to be done to keep the institutions safe and secure.<p> This behavior came from the very administration that touts accountability, transparency and business acumen. . . .<p> The cynic in me is starting to believe that the Scott administration doesn’t want to fix the problems at the department and doesn’t want to fully investigate the abuse that has been and still is occurring. In the meantime, people in state supervision are dying and the state is exposed to costly litigation and liability.<p> Perhaps this is the means to an end and Scott’s true mission is to fully privatize Florida’s prisons — at any cost.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/28/dockery-privatizing-prisons-scotts-end-game/24205481/">Privatizing prisons could be Scott’s end game</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Goosestepping in lockstep</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/dean-cannon-better-florida-economy-means-fewer-fights-session">Dean Cannon: Better Florida Economy Means Fewer Fights in Session</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Like a wolf howling in the middle of the Tundra"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a>: "The outlook might get brighter next week for the Everglades Foundation and its allies, but for now their voice crying out to buy U.S. Sugar Corp. land is like a wolf howling in the middle of the Tundra." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/not-single-legislative-delegation-makes-buying-us-sugar-land-priority">Not a Single Legislative Delegation Makes Buying U.S. Sugar Land a Priority</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Failed Republicans who are playing politics"</strong><p> "This week, mailers from a newly formed political committee called Moving Tampa Forward described [Jackie] Toledo’s opponents as failed Republicans who are playing politics and stated that Toledo was the “target of vicious personal attacks.”" "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/toledo-wont-be-fined-for-use-of-city-seal-20150227/?page=1">Accusations fly in heated District 6 race</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/03/jeb-skirts-rules-chases-unlimited.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-5058666151617170402Mon, 23 Feb 2015 14:50:00 +00002015-02-23T09:50:47.078-05:00Rubio to New Hampshire"U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is heading to New Hampshire to interact directly with voters who will help determine his presidential fate." "<a href="http://www.necn.com/news/politics/Florida-Sen-Marco-Rubio-to-Meet-With-New-Hampshire-Voters-293622101.html">Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to Meet With New Hampshire Voters</a>."<p> Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/02/20/rubio-heckled-at-florida-book-signing/">Rubio heckled at Florida book signing</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Clown car comes to Florida</strong><p> "Ted Cruz came to Jacksonville Friday night and called out Jeb Bush on Common Core. More so than most of the other Republicans testing the waters for 2016, Cruz has taken shots at Bush over Common Core. But this time Cruz fired away at Bush in his own backyard." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/ted-cruz-comes-florida-attack-jeb-bush-common-core">Ted Cruz Comes to Florida to Attack Jeb Bush on Common Core</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Early voting trends in Tampa</strong><p> "Election officials expect this year’s election will continue a trend that began in 2012 of more votes being cast before Election Day." "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/early-voting-for-tampa-elections-begins-monday-20150222/?page=1">Early voting for Tampa elections begins today</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Entrepreneurs in action</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article10931081.html">Ripping off your refunds: One little number fuels South Florida’s tax-fraud explosion</a>." You can check out "a ZIP Code to see how many electronic filing identification numbers were issued by the IRS, and whether your neighborhood may fall into a hot spot for tax fraud." "<a href="http://pubsys.miamiherald.com/static/media/projects/2015/sofla-tax-fraud/index.html">Investigate Florida's tax fraud hot spots by ZIP Code</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb's family tree</strong><p> <i>Huffington Post</i> is "ranking the branches of an old family tree according to their respective helpfulness for the 2016 election." "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/23/trail-to-the-chief-bush-family_n_6716938.html">Trail To The Chief: Bush Family, Ranked Edition</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/rubio-to-new-hampshire.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-5241774992576899091Sun, 22 Feb 2015 15:25:00 +00002015-02-22T10:26:17.007-05:00Jeb not ready for prime timeDana Milbank <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/is-jeb-bush-ready-for-prime-time-1.1275911?page=all">points out</a> that when Jeb recently "addressed the Chicago Council on Global Affairs luncheon at the Fairmont, he combined his father's awkward oratory with his brother's mangled syntax and malapropisms. Like his brother, he said 'nucular' instead of 'nuclear,' and he hunched over the lectern with both hands on it — but instead of exuding folksiness, as his brother does, he oozed discomfort."<blockquote><em>A top priority, he explained, is "reforming a broken immigration system and turning it into an economic — a catalytic converter for sustained economic growth."<p><p> Presumably, he was reaching for "catalyst," but instead came up with an automotive emissions-control device.<p> "As we grow our presence by growing our ability to produce oil and gas," Bush went on, "we also make it possible to lessen the dependency that Russia now has on top of Europe."<p> Russia's dependency on top of Europe? It was, in addition to being backward, a delightful echo of his brother's belief that it is hard "to put food on your family."<p> At another point, discussing NATO's aggressive stance in the Baltics, Jeb explained that "I don't know what the effect has been, because, you know, it's really kind of hard to be out on the road, and I'm just a gladiator these days, so I don't follow every little detail."<p> Asked about the weakening of nation states in the Middle East, he admitted: "I don't have a solution. I mean, I… I… I've read articles, you know, about whether the 1915 kind of breakout of the Middle East and how that no longer is a viable deal."<p> Bush, eschewing teleprompter, read his speech quickly and, during the question time that followed, leaned forward in a chair, jacket buttoned and legs spread, swigging water with Marco Rubio's gusto.<p> The former Florida governor recited his foreign policy credentials, such as opening a bank office in Venezuela. He touted a Latin American free-trade agreement and noted that "where Columba and I live is going to be right in the center of the universe of that free-trade agreement."<p> He can see Cuba from his house!</em></blockquote>Much more here: "<a href="http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/is-jeb-bush-ready-for-prime-time-1.1275911?page=all">Is Jeb Bush ready for prime time?</a>"<p> And then there's the slimy business stuff. See e.g., "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article10906283.html">Jeb Bush’s private investments in fracking dovetail with public advocacy</a> ("The intersection between Jeb Bush’s private and public life — calls for fracking have been a part of his speeches and came as recently as last month in San Francisco — triggers questions of disclosure.")<p> Indeed, <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/stevechapman/2015/02/22/jeb-bushs-empty-indictment-n1960110">when it comes to foreign relations</a>, all Jeb, "like most of the other Republicans who may run for president, has are muscular-sounding bromides that substitute for understanding."<p><br><p><strong>Good luck with that</strong><p> "After years of neglect, Florida's "dysfunctional" mental-health system is likely to be a top priority for lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session, with both advocates and politicians calling for major reform." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-mental-illness-legislature-20150220-story.html#navtype=outfit">Florida lawmakers to tackle troubled mental-health system</a>."<p><br><p><strong>The best they can do</strong><p> "Former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford signaled his intentions to remain politically active Friday as he joined the board of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC)." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/will-weatherford-named-bill-mccollum-board-gop-group">Will Weatherford Named by Bill McCollum to Board of GOP Group</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Jeb courts GOP’s economic charlatans"</strong><p> Paul Krugman: "<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/02/21/Cranking-up-for-2016-Jeb-Bush-courts-the-GOP-s-economic-charlatans/stories/201502210031">Cranking up for 2016: Jeb Bush courts the GOP’s economic charlatans</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Now it looks even worse"</strong><p> The <i>Miami Herald</i> editorial board: "The rejection of federal funds for Medicaid expansion by leaders in Tallahassee was never a smart decision. Now it looks even worse as the feds prepare to shut down a healthcare pipeline that pours about $1.3 billion into a statewide program that aids hospitals that care for Florida’s neediest." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article10777661.html">Another Florida healthcare crisis</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Lying witnesses, junk science, bogus experts, faulty memories, misidentifications and sometimes good intentions gone astray"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/columnists/orlnews-scott-maxwell-20130507-staff.html">Scott Maxwell</a> is required to yet again state the obvious: "Wrongful convictions are a result of lying witnesses, junk science, bogus experts, faulty memories, misidentifications and sometimes good intentions gone astray. It's time for Florida to join the other states that have recognized this — instead of hosting more debates about the most humane way to kill people." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-florida-death-penalty-scott-maxwell-20150221-column.html#navtype=outfit">Change the debate: Errors show we must end the death penalty</a>."<p><br><p><strong>It must be something other than the OUR Walmart</strong><p> If you can stomach Bloomberg's take on Walmart's recent flop on wages, here it is: "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article10774805.html">Why Walmart is increasing its everyday low wages</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Jeb's Brainless Trust"</strong><p> Always nice to read that "Jeb isn’t <a href="https://twitter.com/JayCostTWS/status/568889762666426368">doing</a> terribly <a href="https://twitter.com/JayCostTWS/status/568896565626195968">well</a> in the <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html">polls</a>." <a href="http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/brian-howey/brian-howey-pence-will-be-watching-jeb-s-traction/article_856a1217-7888-57c8-be03-bbefb34d2718.html">More</a>: "The numbers involving former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are both shocking and pedestrian . . . ." Or, as James Carville puts it, <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/the-buzz-james-carvilles-predictions-for-jeb-bush-hillary-clinton-marco/2218615">they are</a> "not very impressive . . . ."<p> Perhaps that's because, as <a href="http://www.ipolitics.ca/author/margaret-carlson/">Margaret Carlson</a> reminds us, "Jeb Bush is asking us to do the impossible — forget that he’s the son of one president and the brother of another." "<a href="http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/02/21/the-unbearable-burden-of-being-jeb-bush/">The unbearable burden of being Jeb Bush</a>."<p> But is Jeb really any different? Maureen Dowd thinks not, at least when it comes to his advisors: "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/opinion/sunday/maureen-dowd-jeb-bushs-brainless-trust.html?_r=0">Jeb Bush’s Brainless Trust</a>." Or, as the <i>Boston Globe</i> reports:<blockquote><em>Boston Globe profile revealed Bush was pot-smoking bully in prep school. New York Times found many letters to father’s White House urging help for friends. Advice to women on welfare: “Get your life together and find a husband.” Helped brother W. win presidency in Florida by 537 votes. Husband of brain-dead Terri Schiavo called Jeb “vindictive, untrustworthy coward” who put him “through hell” by interfering in her case. Miami Herald asked what he’d do specifically for black people if elected governor. Answer: “Probably nothing.” Wants path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Wife is Mexican-American whose peasant father entered United States illegally.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/02/20/democrats-guide-republicans-for-president/sTShBL7AgbNsfPGuz68LkO/story.html?comments=all&sort=HIGHEST_RATING">Democrats’ guide to Republicans for president</a>."<p><br><p><strong>So much for that states rights schlock</strong><p> "The top lobbying group for Florida’s seaports wants the state to establish a marketing campaign to help lure cargo-shipping companies from major ports in other areas of the country." "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/75206/florida-shipping/">Florida Ports Want Government Help Luring Shipping From New York, Georgia and Texas</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Fracking a Jeb Bush family affair"</strong><p> No surprise that "fracking is not just a Jeb Bush investment, but also a Jeb Bush family affair."<blockquote><em>Son George P. Bush, 38, was elected Texas land commissioner last year, two years after helping found Fort Worth-based FracStar Logistics, providing sand for fracking. One of FracStar's managing partners is Coral Gables-based De Soto Partners, which is co-owned by Jeb Bush and 31-year-old Jeb Bush Jr. FracStar has been renamed Proforce Energy Services.<p> Jeb Bush's private equity group, Britton Hill Holdings, was established in May 2013, but his entry into the fracking boom and private equity business wasn't publicly revealed until June 2014, when it triggered a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing for managing more than $100 million.<p> By then, Bush was looking increasingly like he would run for president.<p> The filing showed that the pooled investment fund had raised $40.4 million from 37 investors. Bush is chairman of Britton Hill, named after the highest point in Florida and based out of his office at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. His partners include former Lehman Brothers banker Amar Bajpai, former natural gas trader David Savett and private equity executive Ross Rodrigues. Bajpai is now on the board of Inflection Energy, the Denver company he and Bush invested in.<p> Bush and his partners "had more than five years consulting across various sectors, and a move into making direct investments was a natural extension," said Campbell, Bush's spokeswoman.</em></blockquote>"Bush's fracking investments are not the only time his private business life has overlapped with his public policy advocacy."<blockquote><em>His work as an education reformer coincided with his financial stake in Academic Partnerships, an online higher education company. Bush severed ties with the company late last year and his team has noted he did not invest in K-12, which has been his policy focus.<p> The former governor already has resigned from various corporate boards, including Tenet Healthcare, which has a bottom-line interest in the success of Obamacare, and he ended consulting contracts as he moved fully into the presidential fray in December.<p> But pulling out of ventures in which he is a partner or owner, including his fracking investments, is far trickier because Bush's name and involvement presumably is part of what drew investors.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/jeb-bushs-private-investments-in-fracking-dovetail-with-public-advocacy/2218495">Jeb Bush's private investments in fracking dovetail with public advocacy</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/jeb-not-ready-for-prime-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-5275948130781344573Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:24:00 +00002015-02-21T10:24:46.967-05:00"Good luck getting Scott to ask for an investigation of himself"Tom Nickens <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/nickens-why-the-times-joined-the-lawsuit-against-the-governor-and-cabinet/2218509">writes</a>: "Citizens, good government groups and news media organizations should not have to file a lawsuit to force someone to examine whether Florida's highest elected officials violated the Sunshine Law."<blockquote><em>The lawsuit is a last resort, and the [Tampa Bay] Times joined as a plaintiff with some reluctance and after much discussion among top editors. There are more direct ways to determine whether the state's top leaders violated their oath to uphold the Florida Constitution and ignored the fundamental principle of open government. But no one else will do what has to be done.<p> Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs won't investigate whether there was a public meetings violation in the way Gov. Rick Scott abruptly ousted Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey. Never mind that Bailey reported to the governor and Cabinet — Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. Never mind that the governor cannot hire or fire the head of FDLE by himself. Never mind that there was no public discussion, no public vote, no nothing.<p> Bondi, who ought to be interested in enforcing the Sunshine Law, won't investigate. She hasn't asked the statewide prosecutor to look into it. She hasn't even responded to a letter from the First Amendment Foundation suggesting that she ask her good friend the governor to appoint a special prosecutor. (Full disclosure: [Nickens is a] member of the First Amendment Foundation's board.)<p> Good luck getting Scott to ask for an investigation of himself. This governor has less regard for open government than any governor in the modern era.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/nickens-why-the-times-joined-the-lawsuit-against-the-governor-and-cabinet/2218509">Why the Times joined the lawsuit against the governor and Cabinet</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Pleasing developers and farmers"</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Bay Times</i> editors: "The Florida House is moving to quickly change how the state manages and preserves water that is more about pleasing developers and farmers than protecting the environment. The legislation delays the cleanup of the Everglades and puts new pressure on the water supply in fast-growing Central Florida." "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-house-takes-wrong-approach-on-water/2218510">House takes wrong approach on water</a>."<p><br><p><strong>The elephant in the room</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Trib</i> editors look at the plans for "<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/shoring-up-floridas-corrections-system-20150221/?page=1">Shoring up Florida’s corrections system</a>." Of course the elephant in the room is the GOP's privatization fetish.<p><br><p><strong>"Shift-based care"</strong><p> "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/bill-targets-shift-work-at-foster-group-homes-20150220/?page=1">Bill targets shift work at foster group homes</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"The governor and lawmakers are ignoring the greatest public concern"</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Bay Times</i> editorial board <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-cutting-one-test-is-not-testing-reform/2218471">writes that</a> "the governor and state lawmakers still are ignoring the greatest public concern: Students, teachers and school districts simply aren't ready for next month's new assessments for the Common Core-aligned Florida Standards."<blockquote><em>While the governor and state lawmakers nibble around the edges, the new standardized tests are barreling toward students in a couple of weeks. Yet there has not been nearly enough careful consideration and preparation for these new assessments. Scott foolishly dropped out of the multistate consortium developing the tests and demanded that Florida obtain its own assessments in an unsuccessful attempt to silence critics of Common Core. </em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-cutting-one-test-is-not-testing-reform/2218471">Cutting one test is not testing reform</a>."<p> Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-school-testing-beth-kassab-20150220-column.html#navtype=outfit">Who's fringe now? Moms' testing position now mainstream</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Scott admin gives privateers a billion dollar do-over</strong><p> "Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones announced Friday she intends to rebid contracts worth about $1.4 billion with private companies to provide health care services to the state’s 100,000 inmates." "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/prisons-boss-aims-to-rebid-health-care-contracts-20150221/?page=1">Prisons boss aims to rebid health care contracts</a>."<p> "The announcement came amid increased scrutiny of Florida’s prison system, the nation’s third-largest, after reports of guards abusing inmates, a rising number of unexplained inmate deaths and lawsuits from investigators who claim they were retaliated against after exposing wrongdoing." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article10775381.html">Prison chief seeks overhaul of prison health contracts</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Beer battle comes to head"</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-beer-battle-round-two-legislature-20150220-story.html#navtype=outfit">Beer battle comes to head again in Tallahassee</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"It didn't have to be this way"</strong><p> Daniel Ruth: "For the past several weeks, as disclosures have mounted over Gov. Rick Scott's abrupt dismissal of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, questions have popped up about whether there is any way for voters to remove a Florida governor from office."<blockquote><em>The answer to that question is no.<p> The issue is particularly intriguing since Attorney General Pam Bondi appears to be uninterested in pursuing allegations that the sacking of Bailey was either: A) related to the FDLE chief's steadfast refusal to allow the governor to politicize the agency; and/or B) whether Scott's actions violated the state's government-in-the-open Sunshine Laws.<p> Given Bondi's Officer Krupke-esque indifference to, you know, actually performing her duties as the state's chief legal officer, it would appear Scott is going to get away with thumbing his nose at proper protocols and legal niceties.<p> It didn't have to be this way.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/ruth-florida-voters-have-no-way-to-recall-gov-rick-scott-cabinet/2218310">Florida voters have no way to recall Gov. Rick Scott, Cabinet</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Run, Marco run!</strong><p> "Sen. Marco Rubio is in the midst of a comeback, fueled by a self-assured stand against easing relations with Cuba, some savvy campaigning in Iowa and a meeting that impressed well-heeled donors." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article10793810.html">As a White House hopeful, Sen. Marco Rubio on the comeback trail</a>."<p> Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article10690208.html">Rubio faces stiff odds in reversing Obama’s policy toward Cuba</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"A raw, public tussle"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/jeff-henderson-1">Jeff Henderson</a>: "Just when things can’t get any worse for Democrats in Florida, two of their leading figures are going at each other in a fight that won’t help them keep the state in their column come 2016." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/hillary-clinton-needs-step-debbie-wasserman-schultz-and-john-morgan-bicker">Hillary Clinton Needs to Step In as DWS and John Morgan Bicker</a>."<p> This "raw, public tussle between U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and trial attorney John Morgan over a medical marijuana ballot initiative prompted the Florida Democratic Party chairwoman to declare herself 'disappointed.'" "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article10743806.html">Feud between Wasserman Schultz and millionaire donor exposes Democratic fault lines over medical pot</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb staggering around within the margin of error in Florida</strong><p> It is no secret that Florida's claptrap media desperately to prop up dear Jeb; after all, it would be far more interesting - at least for Florida's chattering classes - if Jebbie became the GOPer nominee. Consider this stretch of a column: "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/carl-hiaasen/article7033457.html">Jeb could ruin Hillary’s political run</a>."<p> That's of course true . . .<p> . . . except for the polling part. Consider <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/2016-presidential-swing-state-polls/release-detail?ReleaseID=2130">the latest Q poll</a>:<blockquote><em>- FLORIDA: Clinton 44 - Bush 43<p>OHIO: Clinton 47 - Bush 36<p> PENNSYLVANIA: Clinton 50 - Christie 39<p> A first look at three critical swing states, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, for the 2016 presidential election is good news for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who tops possible Republican contenders in every matchup, except Florida, where she ties former Gov. Jeb Bush, and Ohio, where she ties Gov. John Kasich [who of course is not a declared candidate], according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll released today [2/3/2015].<p> Overall, Gov. Bush runs best of any Republican listed against Clinton, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. The Swing State Poll focuses on Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania because since 1960 no candidate has won the presidential race without taking at least two of these three states.<p> Clinton's favorability rating tops 50 percent in each state, while Republican ratings range from negative to mixed to slightly positive, except for Bush in Florida and Kasich in Ohio.<p> Of three "Native Son" candidates, measured against Clinton only in their home states, only Ohio Gov. John Kasich gives the Democrat a good run, getting 43 percent to her 44 percent. . . . [with Clinton ahead] 49 - 39 percent over U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, the Native Son.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/2016-presidential-swing-state-polls/release-detail?ReleaseID=2130">Clinton Leads In Pennsylvania, Ohio; Ties Bush In Florida, Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll Finds</a>."<p> Jeb is staggering around within the margin of error? In the latest version of his home state? And after years of Florida's traditional media telling Floridians how popular Jeb is.<p> So, Jeb will have to fight to even hold his own in his "home" state, while at the same time "Bush does not do well in either Ohio or Pennsylvania. In Ohio, he trails Clinton 36 percent to 47 percent, and in Pennsylvania he trails her 35 percent to 50 percent." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-poll-finds-hillary-clinton-jeb-bush-tied-in-florida-20150203-post.html">Q Poll: Hillary, Jeb tied in Florida</a>."<p><br><p><strong>NRA "gins up faux hysteria"</strong><p> Daniel Ruth: "Leave it to the National Rifle Association's Marion Hammer, the Martha Stewart of Smith & Wesson, to gin up faux hysteria over the debate to allow concealed weapons on the state's college campuses by suggesting ISIS is practically advancing on the gates of Florida State University's Doak Campbell Stadium." "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/ruth-college-campuses-no-place-for-concealed-weapons/2218506">College campuses no place for concealed weapons</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Storm clouds gathering"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a> writes that, if "DOE Commissioner Pam Stewart doesn't see storm clouds gathering, she isn't looking up." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/nearly-duck-and-cover-time-does-pam-stewart">Nearly Duck-and-Cover Time for DOE's Pam Stewart</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Weekly Roundup</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/weekly-roundup-legislature-gets-moving-session-approaches">Weekly Roundup: Legislature Gets Moving as Session Approaches</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/good-luck-getting-scott-to-ask-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-4603747933124848240Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:58:00 +00002015-02-19T09:58:47.210-05:00"Jeb storms Tallahassee""Supposedly, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was in Tallahassee this week for a summit on education."<blockquote><em>But between the fundraiser he held in town, another fundraiser later in the week in New York City and the release of the first chapter of a book chronicling his time as governor through emails he sent and received, it looked a lot like the soft launch of a presidential campaign.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-jeb-bush-storms-tallahassee-20150213-post.html#navtype=outfit">Jeb Bush, the 'non-candidate' for president, storms Tallahassee</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Pie in the sky"</strong><p> "Sending water south from Lake Okeechobee to meander naturally through the Everglades -- the 'flowway' endorsed by the Everglades Foundation as the only way -- 'will never happen, it's pie in the sky,' admitted one of Florida's leading voices on environmental policy." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/environmentalist-lake-okeechobee-everglades-flowway-will-never-happen">Eric Draper: Lake Okeechobee to Everglades Flowway 'Will Never Happen'</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Snuff</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article10642436.html">Legislators roll out bill to snuff damages for tobacco victims</a>."<p> Good to know: "<a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/02/whos-who-in-the-tobacco-wars-chapter-one.html">Who's who in the tobacco wars? Chapter One</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Testing run wild</strong><p> "Florida should scrap a new 11th-grade standardized test and reduce the number of other exams it gives students, the state's education commissioner said Thursday — a move that critics of testing said doesn't go far enough. Gov. Rick Scott said he would work with the Legislature to enact needed laws to cut back on state-mandated testing." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-florida-state-testing-reduction-20150218-story.html#navtype=outfit">Education chief, governor agree to pare back school testing</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/too-much-testing-flooding-florida-education-say-rick-scott-and-pam-stewart">Florida Education Saturated in Tests, Say Rick Scott and Pam Stewart</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Feed 'em enough liquor</strong><p> "A wide-ranging alcohol measure that would allow shoppers to pick up fifths of Jack Daniel's in the same stores where they buy groceries passed its first House test Wednesday over the objection of Florida's largest grocer."<blockquote><em>Members of the House Business & Professions Subcommittee voted 9-4 to advance the measure (HB 107), which would remove an 80-year-old state law that requires liquor stores to be stand-alone facilities.<p> The bill has drawn opposition from independent liquor stores, some county sheriffs and Lakeland-based Publix. Meanwhile, support for the measure has come from retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/publix-wal-mart-odds-over-separating-liquor-groceries">Publix, Wal-Mart at Odds over Separating Liquor, Groceries</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Florida political targets</strong><p> "The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) unveiled its top targets for 2016 on Wednesday with two members of the Florida delegation on the list. . . . The DCCC is targeting two Florida Republicans -- U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo and David Jolly -- in the early stages of the 2016 election cycle." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/nrcc-going-after-gwen-graham-and-patrick-murphy-florida">NRCC Going After Gwen Graham and Patrick Murphy in Florida</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/jeb-storms-tallahassee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-6028710792988823617Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:42:00 +00002015-02-18T09:42:19.605-05:00"Making a career of staying close to Scott""Rick Swearingen, the governor’s choice to lead the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, has made a career of staying close to the governor; now he has returned the favor by requiring the governor’s security team to report directly to him." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article9639086.html">Florida’s top cop has earned governor’s favor</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Same old Jeb</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/jeb-bush-foreign-policy_n_6702998.html">MEET THE NEW BUSH</a>" . . . "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/jeb-bush-foreign-policy_n_6702998.html">SAME AS THE LAST BUSH?</a>"<p> "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article10585238.html">Jeb Bush to say he’ll be his ‘own man’ on foreign policy in Chicago speech</a>." More: "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/jeb-bush-noting-difference-with-former-president-brother-20150218/?page=1">Jeb Bush noting difference with former president brother</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Backyard gun ranges</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Trib</i> editors think Tally should "<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/editorial-leave-regulation-of-backyard-gun-ranges-to-local-officials-20150218/?page=1">Leave regulation of backyard gun ranges to local officials</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Far from ‭'‬The Party Train‭'"</strong><p> "To political groups,‭ ‬community activists and homeowners' associations,‭ ‬All Aboard Florida is about as popular as the subject of Obamacare to Republicans and Gov. Rick Scott to Democrats." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/in%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%AC2015%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%AC-all-aboard-florida-far-%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%9C%E2%80%ACthe-party-train%E2%80%AD%E2%80%9D">In‭ ‬2015,‭ ‬All Aboard Florida is Far from ‭'‬The Party Train‭'</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Poaching Pa. jobs"</strong><p> Steve Bousquet: "Now that Pennsylvania is run by a Democrat, Fla. governor considers it fair game." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/from-our-inbox/article10521788.html">Scott sets sights on poaching Pa. jobs</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Rubio occupies an odd spot"</strong><p> "Even as he turns his eyes to early caucus and primary states like Iowa and Nevada, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., occupies an odd spot in the early stages of the 2016 Republican presidential contest." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/marco-rubios-odd-space-2016-republican-field">Marco Rubio Holds an Odd Space in the 2016 Republican Field</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Cabinet aides could be called to testify"</strong><p> "Cabinet aides could be called to testify in a lawsuit, amended Monday, seeking to end possible Sunshine Law violations in Tallahassee." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article10487255.html">Cabinet members kept in dark on public discussions by their own aides</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/making-career-of-staying-close-to-scott.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-508236881265403825Mon, 09 Feb 2015 15:01:00 +00002015-02-09T10:01:14.522-05:00FlaBaggers break bread with SoFla GOPers"The top Republican Party leaders from three South Florida counties are joining forces Saturday with a tea party activist known for incendiary comments she has directed at other Republican leaders." "<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-tea-party-republican-kilcullen-20150206-story.html#navtype=outfit">South Florida Republican leaders to break bread with controversial tea party leader</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Florida leads nation in Obamacare enrollment and re-enrollment</strong><p> "Florida is leading the nation in enrollment and re-enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, with 1.3 million people signed up as of Jan. 23. Enrollment has been brisk in Flagler County, too." "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74805/obamacare-palm-coast/">Gripes Aside, 6,000 Palm Coast and Flagler County Residents Enrolled in Obamacare as Deadline Approaches</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"A cold-hearted plutocrat"</strong><p> "Mitt Romney opposed the government's rescue of U.S. automakers. So did Jeb Bush."<blockquote><em>Both worked in finance and backed the Wall Street bailout. Both are advocates of tax cuts that Democrats contend only benefit the wealthy and big business.<p> While the first actual votes of the next presidential campaign may be a year away, Democrats already are drawing such comparisons between the former Florida governor and the GOP's 2012 White House nominee — and they don't consider them flattering.<p> Democrats are unwilling to let Bush define himself as a reformer who aims to close the gap between the rich and poor, so they are trying to paint him as this campaign's Romney. The ex-Massachusetts governor struggled in 2012 against criticism related to his work in private equity and his portrayal by President Barack Obama's allies as a cold-hearted plutocrat.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/08/jeb-bush-2016-romney-democrats-_n_6640154.html">Dems Paint Bush as Romney 2.0</a>."<p><br><p><strong>The best they can do?</strong><p> The FlaGOP is getting desperate: "Florida Democratic Party leaders have officially shut down Leslie Wimes' growing and increasingly active Democratic African-American Woman's Caucus." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/fdps-racist-mentality-top-wont-stop-black-womens-caucus">FDP 'Racist Mentality' under Tant Won't Stop Black Women's Caucus</a>."<p><br><p><strong>New tests worry school districts</strong><p> "Florida's new standardized test for students will be mostly online, replacing traditional pencil and paper exams with more complicated computer-based questions." "<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-state-testing-computer-concerns-20150206-story.html#navtype=outfit">New computer-based state tests worry school districts</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb rally on the taxpayers' dime</strong><p> "The Jeb Bush-backed Foundation for Florida’s Future will be taking its case to Tallahassee Tuesday to talk accountability and school choice for Florida’s schools. The half-day event, 'Keeping the Promise: A Florida Education Summit,' will convene the state’s top lawmakers to discuss heavy issues facing the education system."<blockquote><em>But the summit will also feature some of the biggest names in Florida politics talking educational legislation and policy: Bush, Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner, and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli are all scheduled to give remarks.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/jeb-bush-state-legislators-talk-education-reform-tallahassee">Jeb Bush, State Legislators to Talk Education Reform in Tallahassee</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/flabaggers-break-bread-with-sofla-gopers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-3566080866049886672Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:18:00 +00002015-02-08T13:21:58.891-05:00Rubio is not opposed to citizenship, just wants to make it "virtually impossible"<a href="http://www.politifact.com/florida">Politifact Florida</a> is playing word games this morning. They write that it just isn't fair for DWS to claim that would-be-preznit Marco "was for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship before he was against it;" indeed, they question the veracity of a claim of flip-floppery on Rubio's part.<p> <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article9534695.html">Politifact points out</a> that, with Marco Rubio, R-Fla., considering "a bid for president, Democrats are attacking him on his signature issue: immigration. U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, had this to say about her fellow Floridian:"<blockquote><em>“Marco Rubio needs to first figure out which way the wind is blowing when it comes to committing on his position on any given issue,” said the Democratic National Committee chair. “He was for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship before he was against it. It is really unfortunate that he has chosen the most politically expedient path on issues that matter the most to people here in Florida.”</em></blockquote>"Has Rubio backtracked?"<blockquote><em>We asked a few experts on immigration policy if Rubio is now “against” immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship.<p> “There is no substantial policy difference,” said Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration policy analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute. “Sen. Rubio’s current position on handling the illegal immigrant population is very similar to his opinion in 2013. The only difference is that now Sen. Rubio wants several piecemeal bills rather than one comprehensive bill — a stylistic rather than a substantive change.”<p> However, Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, which advocates for a path to citizenship, says Rubio’s new approach is no tiny tweak.<p> “From the perspective of those of us working on immigration reform from day one, the idea of piecemeal approach is another excuse not to get to the piece that makes Republicans uncomfortable, which is legalization or a path to citizenship,” he said. “I don’t think retreat to piecemeal process is a small concession, I see it as a huge problem.”<p> If Wasserman Schultz’s “point is his new position makes a path to citizenship virtually impossible, I would agree with that statement,” Sharry said.<p>Our ruling<p> Wasserman Schultz said that Rubio “was for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship before he was against it.”<p> The 2013 Senate bill which Rubio co-sponsored to overhaul our immigration system included a pathway to citizenship for certain illegal immigrants, albeit one with significant hurdles. After that died, Rubio said he still favored immigration reform, but that it’s only chance was through piecemeal bills. In his book, Rubio outlined specific steps for illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, and after many years eventually pursue citizenship.<p> There is a kernel of truth to Wasserman Schultz’s claim, though, because some immigration advocates say Rubio’s piecemeal approach greatly reduces the chance that Congress would ever get to the point of addressing residency and citizenship.</em></blockquote>So, what is Politifact Florida's conclusion? You guessed it: they rate DWS's<blockquote><em> claim Mostly False.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article9534695.html">Wasserman Schultz: Rubio now against immigration reform</a>."<p><br><p><strong>BaileyGate heats up</strong><p> The <i>Miami Herald</i> editors argue that the "scandal over firing of FDLE chief requires independent probe." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article9464978.html">Too smelly to ignore</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Michigan wingnuts rally around the "Jeb!"</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2015/02/ken_braun_michigan_democrats_r.html">Ken Braun: Michigan Democrats revealed outsized fear over Jeb Bush visit</a>." Meanwhile, "<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/democratic-effort-define-jeb-bush-starts-mitt-romney-124942880--election.html">Democratic effort to define Jeb Bush starts with Mitt Romney</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Blunder of the Year?"</strong><p> Joe Henderson: "The impact of 60 characters can be substantial. That’s all Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn used from the 140 keystrokes Twitter allows to get across his view that Hillsborough County School Board members who voted to fire Superintendent MaryEllen Elia are (paraphrasing here) twits."<blockquote><em>“‘Nuff said. School Board elections in 2 years. Just saying.”<p> He linked to a Washington Post blog by education writer Jay Matthews headlined “<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/blunder-of-the-year-hillsborough-county-fla-board-fires-acclaimed-schools-chief/2015/02/01/3a754952-a718-11e4-a06b-9df2002b86a0_story.html">Blunder of the Year?</a>” Matthews based his opinion of Hillsborough’s “senseless and catastrophic” move on Elia’s strong national reputation and the fact he interviewed her two years ago.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/list/columns-jhenderson/henderson-buckhorns-school-board-tweet-illustrates-the-big-divide-20150208/?page=1">Buckhorn’s school board tweet illustrates the big divide</a>." See also "<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-columns-sotto/school-board-does-nothing-pretty-well-20150205/?page=1">School board does nothing pretty well</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Children, spouses, siblings and fraternity brothers"</strong><p> "Even for South Florida, where absurd news events are routine and the sheriff went to prison for corruption, the spate of judicial scandals has raised serious questions about whether the arrests in Broward are a bizarre coincidence or underscore a larger systemic problem. In a county where the judiciary is known for old-school nepotism and cronyism, and judges have been caught smoking marijuana in a park and found drunk and partly naked in a hotel hallway, some lawyers find themselves wondering: At what point do isolated instances of misconduct point to something bigger?"<blockquote><em>On Wednesday, WPLG, an ABC affiliate, citing anonymous sources, reported that a Broward family court judge was under federal investigation on suspicion of allowing a now-convicted Ponzi schemer to influence a case.<p> And this month, a former judge in Broward was disbarred for exchanging 949 phone calls and 471 text messages with the prosecutor during a death penalty case. Yet another judge was recommended for removal in April after being accused of cheating clients and a co-counsel in the settlement of a civil suit she handled as a private lawyer a decade ago.<p> As it turns out, bad behavior by judges has become distressingly common across Florida in recent months. Judge John C. Murphy in Brevard County is on leave after he was caught on video this month threatening a public defender, who later accused the judge of punching him in the head. In the Keys, a judge who was replaced on the bench after dozing off told a local news reporter that Ambien made him hallucinate about “ ‘Fantasia’ and the dancing brooms.” Another stepped down because a blogger exposed a sexually explicit profile the judge had posted on a gay dating site.<p> But Broward — a heavily Democratic county of 1.8 million people with many judges who are the children, spouses, siblings and fraternity brothers of other judges and some of the region’s most powerful people — seems to be ground zero for allegations of judicial misconduct. The system’s critics say that is because Broward has a highly politicized and clannish culture that is known for protecting its own, which has led some in the judiciary to feel invincible, even as they preside over a county court system that produces the state’s highest exoneration rate.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/28/us/in-broward-county-fla-spate-of-judges-in-dui-arrests.html">Here Comes the Judge, in Cuffs - In Broward County, Fla., Spate of Judges in D.U.I. Arrests</a>."<p> A <i>Sun Sentinel</i> guest columnist writes that the "firing of one of Broward County's DUI judges by the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission is a start to cleaning up a Broward bench that has become a national embarrassment." "<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-viewpoint-judiciary-20150206-story.html#navtype=outfit">Broward judiciary getting needed cleaning</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Second amendment Stoopid</strong><p> "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74737/ak-47-shooting-palm-coast/">“I’m So F— Sorry”: In 911 Call of AK-47 Shooting, Regret and Worries of Going to Jail</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Actually, a "<u>lap dog</u> and pony show"</strong><p> Joe Henderson writes that "Scott opened Thursday’s much-anticipated Cabinet meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds with a startling admission. Of his ham-handed decision to dismiss Florida Department of Law Enforcement chief Gerald Bailey, Scott said, 'It’s clear in hindsight that I could have handled it better.'"<blockquote><em>Watching all this at the back of the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center was Alex Sink, the former state chief financial officer who lost a close race to Scott in 2010. She happily answered questions from reporters about the meeting. Obviously, she is not the most neutral source on this subject, but that doesn’t mean what she had to say should be automatically dismissed.<p> And for Sink, it comes down to this: “The governor breaks the law and gets away with it.”<p> It got a little surreal at this point. As Sink spoke, Attorney General Pam Bondi, a dog lover, was walking down the center aisle holding a rescue dog and looking for a volunteer to give the animal a new home. Bondi eventually got within a few feet of Sink about the time she was saying, “Our attorney general is a total enabler of this governor. ... It’s an embarrassment.”<p> Given the setting inside an equestrian center and with Bondi’s lovable pooch center stage, it was official: We had ourselves a real dog and pony show.<p> Sink said firing Bailey this way broke the state’s constitution, which requires the heads of 10 state agencies to report to the Cabinet. Removing the leader of one them takes approval from at least two of four Cabinet members.<p> “Someone needs to control this governor and his staff,” Sink said.<p> At that point, a TV reporter asked Sink what made her qualified to speak on this subject since she was, in the reporter’s words, a “two-time loser” in runs for high office. She kept her cool, looked toward the front where the Cabinet meeting was still going on, and said, “I’m the only one in this room who has ever sat in one of those chairs.”</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/list/columns-jhenderson/scott-says-he-could-have-handled-mess-better-x2014-we-know-we-know-20150206/?page=1">Scott says he could have handled mess better — we know, we know</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Oh noes - not another "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article1943025.html">Republican bad girl</a>"</strong><p> "Gov. Rick Scott’s chief of staff is a 32-year-old practitioner of brass-knuckled politics who gets wide leeway." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article9530378.html">The power behind Gov. Rick Scott</a>."<p> The last we heard of <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article1943025.html">that other "Republican bad girl"</a>, who liked her politics "rough," she was in a <a href="http://www.local10.com/news/ana-alliegro-sentenced-to-6-months-in-jail/27969770">spot of trouble</a>.<p><br><p><strong>"Florida faces a pivot point"</strong><p> "Florida faces a pivot point in its nation-leading drive to hold public schools accountable via high-stakes testing." "<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-editorial-high-stakes-testing-0208-20150206-story.html#navtype=outfit">Milestone moment in high-stakes testing</a>."<p><br><p><strong>International medical treatment tourists?</strong><p> "Palm Beach County is known for its sand and surf, but its state-of-the-art surgical centers could soon be drawing international tourists looking for medical treatment and a sun-filled vacation on the side." "<a href="http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/business/visit-florida-and-have-surgery-in-jupiter/nj6D2/">Visit Florida, and have surgery in Jupiter</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Privatization follies</strong><p> "Reports on inmate deaths weren’t regularly turned over to the state by private companies handling prison health care, as required, and medical exams showing whether inmates were injured by guards were missing in 2013 and 2014, documents obtained by The Palm Beach Post." "<a href="http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/private-health-firms-withheld-details-of-some-inma/nj6dr/">Private health firms withheld details of some inmate deaths</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Cabinet and governor must conduct official business in the public eye"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.politifact.com/florida">Politifact Florida</a>: "State sunshine laws, specifically Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0200-0299/0286/Sections/0286.011.html">state statute 286.011</a>, says the Cabinet and governor must conduct official business in the public eye. That means any time decisions are made, the quartet must perform official actions on the public record."<blockquote><em>When it comes to Bailey’s departure, there’s no provision outlining how the FDLE commissioner will be removed, only that he "shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and Cabinet." (We also need to mention that this is not the case for all officials. Removing the director of the Office of Insurance Regulation, for example, does have a clear process defined.)</em></blockquote>"As for a replacement, the governor nominates a person and the Cabinet is supposed to discuss it and votes on it at a public meeting. State statute 20.201 says the head of the FDLE "shall be appointed by the Governor with the approval of three members of the Cabinet and subject to confirmation by the Senate." The Cabinet confirmed Scott’s pick of Swearingen as Bailey’s replacement at the Jan. 13 meeting."<blockquote><em>Bondi suggested the staff knew about Bailey’s ouster outside of the public meetings, without Scott’s knowledge. If that’s the case, courts have ruled that too could violate the Sunshine Law. It’s not appropriate or permissible to use staff to get around the requirements to conduct public business in public, courts have said.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.politifact.com/florida/article/2015/feb/02/examining-floridas-sunshine-law-in-wake-of-gerald-/">Examining Florida's Sunshine Law in wake of Gerald Bailey controversy</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/rubio-is-not-opposed-to-path-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-6283234731478272210Fri, 06 Feb 2015 14:04:00 +00002015-02-06T09:04:41.377-05:00"Bondi, Atwater and Putnam conduct master class on cover-ups and buck-passing"Ousted longtime Florida Department of Law Enforcement director Gerald Bailey "created a firestorm by saying he was forced out, ordered by the governor’s staff to 'retire or resign.'"<p> He has also alleged, among other things, that the governor’s staff asked him to state falsely that acting Orange County Clerk of Court Colleen Reilly was under investigation for a high-profile prison break that embarrassed the state’s corrections department." "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/gov-scott-i-could-have-better-handled-bailey-situation-20150205/?page=1">Gov. Scott: I could have better handled Bailey situation</a>."<p> The cabinet was to address the issue yesterday.<p> But, as Scott Maxwell <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-fetishcon-fdle--rick-scott-maxwell-20150205-column.html">put it </a>, "Thursday's meeting of Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet members" was as perfectly as perfectly choreographed as a Broadway production.<p> Bondi, Atwater and Putnam<blockquote><em>came vowing to get to the bottom of the scandal over an ousted FDLE chief — who said Gov. Rick Scott's office asked him to fabricate a criminal investigation, campaign on public time and more.<p> But Cabinet members did none of that.<p> Instead, Attorney General Pam Bondi, CFO Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam conducted a master class on cover-ups and buck-passing.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-fetishcon-fdle--rick-scott-maxwell-20150205-column.html">Political-scandal theater</a>."<p> Meanwhile, Gary Fineout <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ap-rick-scott-admits-mishandling-fdle-ouster-20150205-story.html">points out</a> that Scott "stopped short of saying what he did was wrong in forcing out the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement." See also "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article9307868.html">Gov. Rick Scott on FDLE controversy: ‘I could have handled it better’</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb front group issues a report</strong><p> "A new report released this week by the Foundation for Florida’s Future and the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice details the very real impact population growth will have on national and state public service budgets in the future." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/baby-boom-population-explosion-could-lead-public-education-funding-crisis-report-says">Baby Boomer Explosion Could Lead to Education Funding Crisis, Report Says</a>."<p><br><p><strong>State imposes "virtual gag order"</strong><p> "Two days after Florida legislators asked a series of probing questions of the top inspector at the Department of Corrections, the agency has banned inspectors from discussing any investigations, releasing any public records relating to agency probes, or even voluntarily bringing information to outsiders — including legislators."<blockquote><em>The virtual gag order requires all employees of the Office of Inspector General to sign a confidentiality agreement and three other documents pledging they will not use the department database for unauthorized use, will not release information on open or closed cases to anyone, and will not compromise their independence while they are working in the department.<p> Any violation could result in "immediate termination."<p> The Office of Inspector General is charged with investigating criminal wrongdoing or policy violations in the state's prison system.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/new-prison-policy-punishes-investigators-who-speak-out/2216638">New prison policy punishes investigators who speak out</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"More ridiculous with each passing year"</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Trib</i> editors: "A growing body of evidence is making Florida’s refusal to accept billions of dollars in federal Medicaid money seem all the more ridiculous with each passing year." "<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/editorial-follow-indianas-lead-in-accepting-medicaid-money-20150205/?page=1">Follow Indiana’s lead in accepting Medicaid money</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Cabinet member wants slave state soldiers in Florida Hall of Fame</strong><p> "Could the Civil War be coming to the 2015 legislative session?"<p> This guy is shameless Florida cabinet member Adam Putnam has<blockquote><em>Putnam floated the idea of approving the three Confederate nominees [for the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame] . . . it could fall to lawmakers to decide whether the soldiers who wore gray on the battlefield 150 years ago should be recognized alongside those who fought for the United States instead of against it.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/backroom-briefing-legal-gray-area-confederate-vets">Backroom Briefing: Legal Gray Area on Confederate Vets</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Grayson ponders Senate run; conservatives on the attack</strong><p> "Alan Grayson is starting to throw his name around as a possible candidate for the Senate in 2016 -- and that’s bad news for Democrats," or so the severely conservative <i>Sunshine State News</i> thinks.<blockquote><em>Grayson is a darling of liberals across the country and he relies on a national fundraising base. The Florida congressman also brings his own sizable personal fortune to the table. Money won’t be an issue if Grayson embarks on a Senate bid, even if Marco Rubio decides to run for a second term.<p> But Grayson’s acerbic style, insults toward conservatives and endless procession of snide remarks about Republicans often get him in trouble and can turn off moderates and independents. That certainly proved to be the case in 2010 where Grayson was demolished by Republican Dan Webster. After Grayson ran insulting ads claiming Webster’s evangelical faith was anti-women, voters turned against the Democrat despite having elected him two years before. Webster went on to crush Grayson 56 percent to 38 percent on Election Day.<p></em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/alan-grayson-senate-bid-poison-pill-democrats-come-2016">Alan Grayson Senate Bid a Poison Pill for Democrats Come 2016</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Falling up</strong><p> "Two years after his resignation amid a prostitution scandal, former state Rep. Mike Horner of Kissimmee is working as lobbyist for the Osceola County School Board."<blockquote><em>Horner could not be reached for comment. A two-term Republican state representative, Horner ended his quest for a third term in 2012 after he was named as a client of abrothelin Orange County, though he was not charged.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/osceola/os-mike-horner-lobbyist-osceola-20150205-story.html#navtype=outfit">Former state Rep. Mike Horner, who resigned amid prostitution scandal, hired as Osceola School lobbyist</a>."<p> Wonder how the school board will react when a teacher is fired for misconduct.<p><br><p><strong>Entrepreneurs in action: reports of sexual battery at "for-profit group home"</strong><p> "All four residents at a Leesburg group home where reports of sexual battery emerged last week have been moved, according to state Department of Children and Families spokeswoman Kristin Gray."<blockquote><em>After reports that three underage girls living in the for-profit group home may have been sexually assaulted by neighborhood boys, DCF began investigating "allegations of inadequate supervision" in the home.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os--group-home-assaulted-girls-moved-20150205-story.html#navtype=outfit">Girls removed from Leesburg group home after sexual battery allegations</a>."<p><br><p><strong>'Glades</strong><p> The <i>Miami Herald</i> editorial board is "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article9363794.html">Glad for the Glades</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"45 hours??!!"</strong><p> Scott Maxwell <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-fetishcon-fdle--rick-scott-maxwell-20150205-column.html">writes</a> that some of Tally's early efforts to deal with Florida's testing imbroglio<blockquote><em>miss the mark. One bill, for instance, wants to limit testing time to 45 hours a year.<p> First of all, most parents and teachers aren't complaining about the actual testing time. They're irked by all the hoopla surrounding the tests: the drills, the practice tests and all the important curriculum that is cut to make room for the hoopla.<p> Secondly ... 45 hours??!! Do you realize how long that is? I've seen medical-license tests administered in less time. Should it really be more cumbersome to graduate kindergarten?</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-fetishcon-fdle--rick-scott-maxwell-20150205-column.html">School-testing update</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/bondi-atwater-and-putnam-conduct-master.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-534892305202422108Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:45:00 +00002015-02-05T09:45:54.937-05:00"Scott won’t get the Jerry Bailey treatment""For all of the professed shock and outrage in the past three weeks, it’s unlikely that Cabinet members will publicly criticize Scott."<blockquote><em>CFO Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam have all criticized Scott’s handling of Bailey, who reported to them as well as to the governor. Bailey was axed after Scott’s aides cryptically told their aides that he wanted “new leadership.”</em></blockquote>"Typical of Scott’s CEO style, Bailey became a non-entity in a bloodless coup. No notice, no job evaluation, not even a handshake. FDLE agents could have dusted for prints and they wouldn’t have found Scott’s."<blockquote><em>Cabinet members talk a lot about transparency and accountability, and Thursday is their best shot to back it up with decisive action. But politics is in the way. . . .<p> No, Scott won’t get the Jerry Bailey treatment.<p> Instead, expect a wonkish discussion of process and procedure and job evaluations as they tiptoe around the elephant in the room: Bailey.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article9307868.html">What not to expect from Scott, Cabinet meeting on Thursday</a>." See also "" and "".<p><br><p><strong>Floridians flock to Obamacare</strong><p> "Despite political opposition from the state’s Republican leaders to President Obama’s signature legislation, Florida enrolled more people — 1.3 million as of Jan. 30 — than any of the 36 other states in the HealthCare.gov marketplace." "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/florida-leads-nation-in-health-coverage-sign-ups-20150205/?page=1">Florida leads nation in health coverage sign-ups</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Dumb luck"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/columnists/orlnews-beth-kassab-20130507-staff.html">Beth Kassab</a>: "The Sunshine State doesn't have a single case of measles tied to an outbreak of 100 cases in 14 other states. Sadly, this feat is the result of dumb luck, not a more vigorous public-health policy or moral superiority." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-measles-outbreak-vaccine-beth-kassab-20150204-column.html#navtype=outfit">Florida should look to Mississippi on vaccines</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Scott "accused of politicizing two public-safety agencies"</strong><p> The <i>Orlando Sentinel</i> editorial board: "For the past couple of weeks, Gov. Rick Scott and his staff have been denying allegations from Gerald Bailey, the ousted Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner, that the governor's office made politically motivated demands on him and his agency."<blockquote><em>How ironic that Scott, a former businessman who touted the fact in his campaigns that he wasn't a career politician, stands accused of politicizing these two public-safety agencies.<p> The explosive allegations from [former Corrections Secretary Michael] Crews, who retired in November, should overcome whatever hesitation lawmakers might have had to act on steps to take the politics out of Florida's prison system.<p> Those steps were recommended in November by a bipartisan task force associated with Florida State University. One would unlink the corrections secretary's term from the governor's. Another would give the other three Cabinet members a say in hiring the secretary along with the governor. And a third would create an independent commission to help oversee the system and the secretary.</em></blockquote>"Crews' allegations, if true, highlight the hazards of putting politics ahead of public safety in the prison system. He told the Miami Herald that the governor's office asked him to fire employees who didn't deserve it, fabricate quotes in news releases and stage news conferences — all to divert attention from a severe funding and staff shortage in the state's prisons that put inmates, correctional officers and ultimately the public at risk."<blockquote><em>Florida's prisons hold some 101,000 inmates; yet funding for the system today is lower than it was in 2008, when there were about 3,000 fewer inmates. Turnover is high among correctional officers, who haven't received a pay raise in seven years. So are reports of staff misconduct. Inmate deaths hit a record high in 2014.<p> Crews told the Herald that "a catastrophe" — perhaps the killing of a correctional officer or even a riot — looms if prisons aren't adequately funded.</em></blockquote>" "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-rick-scott-prison-reform-20150204-story.html#navtype=outfit">Get politics out of prisons with oversight</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Public official is padding his campaign pockets"</strong><p> "Yet another public official is padding his campaign pockets with money from those associated with his public job. This week, we have Dean Asher, who is running for the state Senate while serving as a member of Orlando International Airport's governing board ... and taking gobs of campaign dollars from airport contractors." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-dean-asher-airport-scott-maxwell-20150203-column.html#navtype=outfit">Airport leader's campaign benefits from airport contractors</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Bush Clan Clowns</strong><p> "John Ellis Previously Embroiled In Controversy Surrounding 2000 Election Coverage For Fox News." "<a href="http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/02/03/jeb-bushs-cousin-is-a-fox-business-executive/202089">Jeb Bush's Cousin Is A Fox Business Executive</a>."<p><br><p><strong>New dimension to Bailey scandal</strong><p> "The lawsuit, along with a statewide open government group’s call Wednesday for a special prosecutor, adds new dimensions to the controversy over Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to force Gerald Bailey to resign as commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article9306788.html">Lawsuit alleges Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Cabinet violated Sunshine Law</a>." More: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/first-amendment-foundation-pam-bondi-call-outside-investigator-fdle-controversy">FAF to Pam Bondi: Call Outside Investigator in FDLE Controversy</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Low information Floridians</strong><p> <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/2016-presidential-swing-state-polls/release-detail?ReleaseID=2132">Q poll</a>: "By a 43-to-39 percent margin, Florida voters say Obama’s policies have helped the economy. But by a 35-to-23 percent margin, the survey respondents say Obama’s policies have hurt their own finances, with 42 percent saying the president has made no difference."<blockquote><em>Fifty percent of Florida voters are opposed to the Affordable Care Act, while 45 percent say they support it. Fifteen percent favor keeping the law and another 32 percent say minor changes should be made to it. Another 24 percent favor major changes to the law and 27 percent favor complete repeal.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://postonpolitics.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/02/05/florida-voters-want-to-change-direction-from-obama-but-not-too-much/">Florida voters want to ‘change direction’ from Obama — but not too much</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb's market solutions</strong><p> "Appearing before the Detroit Economic Club, Jeb Bush offered an economic argument that would contrast the problems of the poor under President Barack Obama and his pro-government approach with the promise of a market-driven agenda." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article9289553.html">Jeb Bush: Big government doesn’t help the poor</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Appeals court won’t touch gay marriage case</strong><p> "A federal appeals court in Atlanta said Wednesday it will not move forward with Florida’s gay marriage case until after the U.S. Supreme Court decides the issue nationally, probably in June." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article9296996.html">U.S. appeals court won’t touch Florida gay marriage case until after Supreme Court ruling</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/scott-wont-get-jerry-bailey-treatment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-2191255001380501810Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:41:00 +00002015-02-04T09:41:31.275-05:00So much for Florida's "native" sons"Hillary Clinton is ahead of Jeb Bush by a statistically insignificant 1 point in Florida but beats him or Chris Christie handily in Ohio and Pennsylvania in a prospective contest for the presidency. " "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74681/clinton-bush-christie/">Not So Good For Jeb: Hillary Would Tie Him in Florida, Easily Beat Him in Other Swings</a>." "That might not be surprising, as Bush was a popular [?] two-term Republican governor. But the <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/2016-presidential-swing-state-polls/release-detail?ReleaseID=2130">poll</a> also shows the Democrat Clinton leading another native son, Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, by a margin of 49 percent to 39 percent in Florida."<blockquote><em>Quinnipiac polled voters in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, all pivotal states in presidential races. Clinton easily topped potential Republican candidates in each of the states, with the exception of Bush in Florida and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in Kasich’s home state.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/poll-bush-clinton-an-even-match-among-florida-voters-20150203/?page=1">Poll: Bush-Clinton an even match among Florida voters</a>."<p> Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/hillary-clinton-set-trounce-2016-primary-rivals-florida">Hillary Clinton Set to Trounce 2016 Primary Rivals in Florida</a>." More: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/mitt-romneys-no-go-2016-doesnt-help-marco-rubio">Mitt Romney's No-Go for 2016 Doesn't Help Marco Rubio</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/florida-republicans-give-jeb-bush-green-light-marco-rubio-red-light-2016">Florida Republicans Give Jeb Bush the Green Light, Marco Rubio the Red Light for 2016</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Cold in Scott’s shadow"</strong><p> Bill Cotterell: "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/columnists/cotterell/2015/02/01/cotterell-cabinet-finds-cold-scotts-shadow/22696225/">Cabinet finds it cold in Scott’s shadow</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Senate District 19</strong><p> "Even though voting is almost two years away, one sitting and one former member of the Florida House already have filed to run for Tampa Bay’s Senate District 19, according to the state Division of Elections’ website." "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/reed-rouson-file-to-replace-tampas-sen-joyner-in-2016-20150203/?page=1">Reed, Rouson file to replace Tampa’s Sen. Joyner in 2016</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Scott starts out his second term upside down"</strong><p> "Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., starts out his second term upside down as a new poll shows he has been hurt by the controversy surrounding former Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey’s departure."<blockquote><em>St. Pete Polls took a poll for Saint PetersBlog which was released on Tuesday. The poll shows half of Floridians -- 50 percent -- say they do not approve of Scott while 41 percent approve of the governor.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/rick-scott-hurt-gerald-bailey-matter-new-poll-finds">Rick Scott Hurt by Gerald Bailey Matter, New Poll Finds</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Second amendment stoopid</strong><p> "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74708/parkview-shooting/">18-Year-Old Shot With AK-47 In House Across From Wadsworth Elementary in Apparent Accident</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"The matter merits an independent investigation"</strong><p> The <i>Tampa Trib</i> editors think "Rick Scott and Cabinet members badly need to restore confidence in a state government damaged by questions surrounding the forced resignation of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey."<blockquote><em>The matter merits an independent investigation, something Putnam and Atwater support. Scott should welcome the review as well. Getting the truth out, and addressing any mistakes that might have been made, is the best way to get this matter behind him.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/defusing-cabinet-controversy-20150204/?page=1">Defusing Cabinet controversy</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb's lapdogs are back</strong><p> Michael Putney: "Jeb’s shrewd, early moves show he hasn’t lost his campaign skills;" "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article9145133.html">First round goes to Jeb</a>." <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-scott-powers-bio-20140717-staff.html">Scott Powers</a>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-poll-finds-bush-leading-florida-gop-20150204-post.html#navtype=outfit">Q Poll: Jeb leads GOP pack in Florida</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Good luck with that</strong><p> "The bill would authorize districts to use something other than tests to assess students in some courses, revamp laws tying teachers' evaluations and pay more closely to student performance." "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74693/testing-limits-florida/">Florida Lawmakers Proposes Capping All State and Local Testing at 5% of School Time</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Republican bad girl" turns on Rivera</strong><p> Ana Alliegro "testified that former congressman David Rivera supplied her with more than $81,000 in a campaign finance scheme." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article9132944.html">Former girlfriend testifies against ex-Rep. David Rivera, questions lack of indictment in campaign scandal</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Scott continues to insist he's not a crook</strong><p> "Gov. Rick Scott's office continued pushing back Monday against claims his staff forced longtime Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey to resign immediately in December." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/rick-scott-disputes-fdle-leader-faced-immediate-ouster">Rick Scott Disputes that FDLE Leader Faced Immediate Ouster</a>." See also "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74614/scott-fdle-office/">Still Under Fire, Gov. Scott’s Office Attempts To Deflect Criticism Over FDLE Chief’s Firing</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/so-much-for-floridas-native-sons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-1449398797589068944Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:10:00 +00002015-02-03T10:10:04.214-05:00ProtoTeabagger Trails Hillary in Florida, and it will only get worse for himJeb is within the margin of error, but nevertheless trails Clinton in his home state:<blockquote><em>A <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/2016-presidential-swing-state-polls/release-detail?ReleaseID=2130">Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday</a> shows former Gov. Jeb Bush and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a virtual tie in a hypothetical 2016 presidential race in Florida. The poll gave 44 percent to Clinton and 43 percent to Bush.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/poll-bush-clinton-an-even-match-among-florida-voters-20150203/?page=1">Poll: Bush-Clinton an even match among Florida voters</a>."<p> These numbers are only going to get worse for Jeb. Everyone knows Hillary, but many new Floridian voters are unaware of Jeb's protoTeabagger record as governor.<p> One reporter <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2014/12/07/liberal-media-cant-believe-jeb-bush-described-moderate-squish">recently wrote</a> about those who believe Bush is some sort of a moderate: "For those of us who covered Jeb’s two terms in Tallahassee, this is beyond mind-boggling. On issue after issue, Jeb’s track record in Florida pushed conservatism’s envelope to the breaking point." Another <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/12/jeb-bush-reinvention-113282.html#.VNDf7nZj9QM">observes</a> that, "during his first run for Florida governor in 1994 cheerfully called himself a head-banging conservative, a hang-’em-by-the-neck conservative . . . who during his second run for Florida governor in 1998 had to craft for himself a more compassionate persona so as not to scare off independent voters . . . that Jeb Bush has come to be viewed with suspicion by the uber-conservative, Tea Party wing of his Republican Party?"<p> Among many other things, Jebbie<blockquote><em>ended affirmative action by executive order, signed the “Stand Your Ground” gun law that drew national attention after the Trayvon Martin shooting, instituted faith-based prison reforms, cut billions of dollars in taxes, and created a school voucher program. He opposed embryonic stem cell research and thinks the jury’s out on man-made climate change.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/jeb-bush-was-severely-conservative-governor-will-the-gop-care">Jeb Bush was a severely conservative governor</a>."<p> Wait till Florida's post-Jeb electorate gets a load of this extremist (Teabaggerish) record.<p><br><p><strong>Scott vigorously fighting request to disclose information on his trust accounts</strong><p> "Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a wealthy former businessman who put up millions of his money to help his two campaigns, is refusing to hand over detailed financial information that could answer whether he is violating a state ethics law."<blockquote><em>Lawyers for Democratic candidate George Sheldon sought the information as part of their ongoing lawsuit that contends Scott is failing to report his actual wealth as required under the state’s financial disclosure requirements. Sheldon, who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for attorney general, filed the lawsuit last October.</em></blockquote>"Court filings show lawyers hired privately by Scott are vigorously fighting a request to turn over information on trust accounts maintained by Scott and his wife, first lady Ann Scott. Sheldon’s attorney is also seeking information on a financial advisor handling Scott’s money."<blockquote><em>Dunbar has asked a circuit judge to throw out of the lawsuit because he argues that any complaint about Scott’s financial disclosure should be handled by the state ethics commission and not in court.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/rick-scott-refusing-to-disclose-financial-information-20150202/?page=1">Gov. Scott refusing to disclose financial information</a>."<p> Of course, <a href="http://www.ethics.state.fl.us/">the majority of the Florida Commission on Ethics is appointed by Scott</a>, with the remainder appointed by the House Speaker and Senate President.<p><br><p><strong>All that hard work pays off</strong><p> "The holding company of Sunshine Bank has appointed former state House Speaker Will Weatherford to its board of directors. . . . The Wesley Chapel Republican served as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2012-2014." "<a href="http://tbo.com/plant-city/former-state-house-speaker-appointed-to-plant-city-based-bank-board-20150202/?page=1">Former state House Speaker appointed to Plant City-based bank board</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/prototeabagger-trails-hillary-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-1452643786992316976Mon, 02 Feb 2015 15:09:00 +00002015-02-02T10:09:31.934-05:00Bondi, Putnam and Atwater "were complicit"Even the neo-Babbits on the <i>Daytona Beach News Journal</i> editorial board recognize that "Florida Cabinet members finally have realized that they work for the state, not the governor — which are not one and the same."<blockquote><em>All three — Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater — have publicly spoken out against fellow Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s firing of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey. Unfortunately, they were complicit in voting to accept his forced resignation and to hire his successor, Rick Swearingen.<p> Recently, however, they have claimed they were “misled” or otherwise made unaware of the circumstances surrounding Bailey’s exit in December. Scott’s office originally said the FDLE chief had retired, but Bailey, a 30-year veteran of the agency who had been in the top job eight years, later said that he was pressured to leave by the governor. Bailey indicated the move was retribution for his refusal to carry out politically charged requests from the governor’s office, such as falsely naming someone a target in a criminal case, hiring political allies for state jobs and interceding in an outside investigation of a prospective Scott appointee. Scott has denied the allegations.</em></blockquote>"Bondi last week absurdly theorized that ignorance of Bailey’s ouster extended to Scott, whom she painted as an unwitting victim of his own staff that had orchestrated the move behind his back. That’s less plausible than the explanations for the New England Patriots’ deflated footballs." "<a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150202/OPINION/150209977/-1/news300?Title=Cabinet-must-scrutinize-Scott-8217-s-actions-">Cabinet must scrutinize Scott’s actions</a>."<p><br><p><strong>'Ya reckon?</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150202/MCT/150209976/-1/news300?Title=Injustice-lingers-in-Jacksonville">Injustice lingers in Jacksonville</a>."<p><br><p><strong>While we were sleeping</strong><p> While the rest of us were enjoying the Superbowl, our overpaid <blockquote><em>Orange County deputy was injured late Sunday night when a suspect rammed the deputy's patrol car and pinned him between two vehicles.<p> The deputy and his partner then opened fire on the male driver and another man in the car, injuring both.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-orange-county-deputy-injured-20150201-story.html">Orange County deputies shoot at suspects after car rams deputies' SUV</a>."<p> The arrogance of these people, to expect their public employers to honor their pension promises. <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-supreme-court-upholds-law-requiring-state-workers-to-contribute-3/1270970">But no</a>.<p><br><p><strong>"A travesty"</strong><p> <i>Tampa Tribune</i> editorial board: "Responding to an increasing number of human-bear conflicts, including some attacks, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to consider legalizing bear hunting at its Wednesday meeting in Jacksonville. We’re not opposed to bear hunts being allowed if research shows it would not harm the state’s population, but to do so now as a response to residents’ concern about bears would be a travesty." "<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/editorial-hunting-not-solution-to-bear-problems-20150202/?page=1">Editorial: Hunting not solution to bear problems</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Still Shoveling It"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a>: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/gambling-and-atlantic-city-no-casinos-still-shoveling-it">Gambling and Atlantic City: No Casinos Still Shoveling It</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Journalistic balance</strong><p> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-scott-powers-bio-20140717-staff.html">Scott Powers</a> overdoses on journalistic balance, writing that the "Florida governor's race last year saw <u>the candidates</u> sidestep the old, regulated system of campaign finance, as Gov. Rick Scott <u>and</u> Democratic challenger Charlie Crist combined to raise $49 million through huge donations from about 2,100 contributors." Powers reports that<blockquote><em>For the first time in 2014, <u>both sides</u> fueled their campaigns mostly through independent political-action committees that could raise unlimited amounts of money from <u>corporations, unions, national groups and wealthy individuals</u>. They relied far less on official candidate campaign committees limited by Florida law to receiving no more than $3,000 per contributor.</em></blockquote>You see, the bunch of them - <u>both parties</u>, and "corporations, unions, national groups and wealthy individuals" - are all in this together. It ain't like Scott bought the election, or anything. To be sure,<blockquote><em>Scott, who pioneered the strategy in Florida when he was first elected in 2010, saw his independent PAC, Let's Get to Work, raise more than $46 million, according to the final reports released last week by the Florida Division of Elections. That PAC was initially fueled by $27.4 million that Scott carried over from his previous election committee. Not including that money, the average amount of the 288 donations to the new Let's Get to Work PAC was $65,384.</em></blockquote>However,<blockquote><em>For the first time, the Democrats succeeded at the same strategy, actually drawing more $10,000 checks but not matching the Republican PAC's overall total. Crist's independent PAC, Charlie Crist for Florida, raised a little more than $30 million. The average size of its 1,808 donations was $16,742.<p> Both Scott and Crist still used traditional campaign committees, collecting thousands of small donations from grass-roots supporters. But in the end, they amounted to small change compared with what the PACs collected.<p> The biggest contributors to each PAC were the national governors' associations. The Republican governors contributed $15 million to Let's Get to Work. The Democrats gave $3.5 million to Charlie Crist For Florida.<p> After that, Let's Get to Work's top contributors were mainly businesses and business groups. Crist's were mainly labor unions and law firms.</em></blockquote>Powers does redeem himself, just a bit with the following afterthought - at the close of his piece:<blockquote><em>In the campaign's closing weeks, [Scott] and first lady Ann Scott contributed $12.8 million, not to Let's Get to Work, but to the Republican Party of Florida, which also was campaigning for him.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-governors-race-campaign-moneyu-20150201-story.html#navtype=outfit">Scott, Crist raised most of their cash through PACs</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/bondi-putnam-and-atwater-were-complicit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-5233623496903959629Mon, 02 Feb 2015 03:59:00 +00002015-02-01T22:59:26.220-05:00Privateer claims he's a "risk taking job creator"There is much of interest in <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/26/testing-time">this</a> January 26, 2015 <i>New Yorker</i> piece, including the reminder that Teabaggers seem quaint by comparison to Jeb in his prime.<p> "Unlike George, Jeb embraced the ascendant right-wing orthodoxy: he declared himself a 'head-banging conservative'; vowed to 'club this government into submission'; and warned that 'we are transforming our society to a collectivist policy.'"<p> And then there are the instances of Jeb personally profiting from "In July, 2011, Bush sent letters to college presidents inviting them to [an Academic Partnerships] marketing conference, at the Four Seasons Hotel near Dallas." Jeb was an investor in and an adviser to Academic Partnerships.<blockquote><em>Speakers included Tony Blair and the former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Last spring, Bush recorded an infomercial inviting people to attend another Dallas conference, in March. This time, the speakers were Thomas Friedman, Fareed Zakaria, and Hillary Clinton, who opened her remarks with praise for Bush’s work on education."</em></blockquote>Of course, Jeb puts a noble face on his feeding at the trough, no-doubt believing he was speaking about himself when he mouthed,<blockquote><em>“Taking risk and creating jobs is something we ought to have more of.”</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/26/testing-time">Testing Time</a>."<p>http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/privateer-claims-hes-risk-taking-job.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-7040506068235369154Sun, 01 Feb 2015 21:32:00 +00002015-02-01T16:35:54.926-05:00"Deep Thinker" trails Ben Carson in IowaOblivious to the <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2015/01/31/iowa-poll-walker-leads-tight-pack/22659477/">latest polling</a> showing "Jeb Bush is an also-ran" in Iowa, the <i>Washington Post</i> bestows the coveted status of GOPer "front-runner" on Jeb Bush. "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/jeb-bush-has-become-the-gop-front-runner-for-2016--so-now-what/2015/01/31/0105ca68-a96e-11e4-a06b-9df2002b86a0_story.html">Jeb The Front Runner</a>."<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBR65D4Zi3I/UEI1E_6e2nI/AAAAAAAAAO8/jh2H0BV80lM/s1600/Jeb%2BBush.JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBR65D4Zi3I/UEI1E_6e2nI/AAAAAAAAAO8/jh2H0BV80lM/s200/Jeb%2BBush.JPG.jpg" /></a></div> Heck, <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2015/01/31/iowa-poll-walker-leads-tight-pack/22659477/">Jeb placed 5th, trailing even Ben Carson</a> in the poll. The talking heads are apparently assuming that Jeb will pocket the Romney vote. After all, he's such a "deep thinker". See "<a href="http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/05/27/karl-rove-touts-jeb-bush-as-deepest-thinker-in-gop/">Karl Rove Touts Jeb Bush As 'Deepest Thinker' in GOP</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/deep-thinker-trails-even-ben-carson-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-2806220638341790696Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:01:00 +00002015-02-01T10:01:07.606-05:00Jeb Bush an "also-ran" in Iowa poll"Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is surging, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is an also-ran and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is dominating in a <a href="http://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-01-31/saturday-b-30496.pdf">new poll</a> of Iowans likely to vote in the nation's first presidential nominating contest."<blockquote><em>The Bloomberg Politics/Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, taken Monday through Thursday, shows Walker leading a wide-open Republican race with 15 percent, up from just 4 percent in the same poll in October. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was at 14 percent and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses in 2008, stood at 10 percent.<p> Bush trailed with 8 percent and increasingly is viewed negatively by likely Republican caucus-goers.</em></blockquote>"<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-01-31/walker-surging-in-bloomberg-politics-des-moines-register-iowa-poll-as-bush-struggles">Iowa Poll - Walker Surging in Iowa Poll as Bush Struggles</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article8881805.html">For Jeb Bush, front-runner status comes with caveats</a>" and "xxx".<p> And then they're the dead-enders: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/jeb-bush-wins-big-mitt-romney-out-2016-race">Jeb Bush Wins Big With Mitt Romney Out of 2016 Race</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Rubio has missed 45 percent of the votes"</strong><p> "So far in the current session of Congress, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, has missed 45 percent of the votes. But the session is less than a month old, and nearly all the 49 votes-to-date were conducted in the past two weeks." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article8882303.html">Rubio’s trip west gains political allies but blemishes his voting record</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Cabinet aides may have circumvented Florida's Sunshine laws</strong><p> "Scott's actions have raised questions about whether cabinet aides, working in private, may have circumvented Florida's Sunshine laws." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article8881880.html">Turmoil puts focus on Scott, Cabinet</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Bought and paid for</strong><p> "Fred Karlinsky, a lobbyist for the insurance industry, suggested Scott look at Ron Henderson, the deputy insurance commissioner in Louisiana, to replace Kevin McCarty, who heads Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation. Karlinsky has donated $10,000 to the re-election campaigns of Henderson’s boss." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article8207232.html">Gov. Scott wants to replace top insurance regulator</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Cuba consulate</strong><p> "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/warming-cuba-relations-may-bring-consulate-back-20150201/?page=1">Warming Cuba relations may bring consulate back</a>." Meanwhile, a <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/newsletter/orlnews-george-diaz-20130507-staff.html">bench-warmer</a> pines for the Batista days.<p><br><p><strong>"A burning question"</strong><p> "Florida lawmakers are again rolling out legislation in support of medicinal and recreational marijuana use, and decriminalization of the drug that has gained a lot of attention in the past year." "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/31/marijuana-florida-burning-question/22628645/">Marijuana in Florida, a burning question</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Meggs giving Scott a pass</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a>: "Meggs has made no secret of the fact that he's a Democrat who voted for Scott in November."<blockquote><em>On top of that, Meggs and Scott's former general counsel Peter Antonacci, the staffer who according to the Times/Herald told Bailey to “retire or resign,” have been friends for some 35 years. Antonacci is a former Leon County prosecutor.<p> Meggs has neither the stomach nor the heart for this. "If there is a violation, it looks like the entire Cabinet should be arrested," he said, indicating little likelihood an investigation will ever happen.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/gerald-bailey-rick-scott-and-everybodys-whipping-boy-willie-meggs">Gerald Bailey, Rick Scott and Everybody's Whipping Boy -- Willie Meggs</a>."<p> Willie, maybe they should be; after all, there are "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article8881880.html">questions about whether cabinet aides, working in private, may have circumvented Florida's Sunshine laws</a>." Meanwhile, Meggs sits on hands, chowing down "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/gerald-bailey-rick-scott-and-everybodys-whipping-boy-willie-meggs">at the governor's mansion with Rick and Ann Scott</a>."<p> And then there's the state's intrepid chief law enforcement officer, "Attorney General Pam Bondi [who has] said she has 'grave concerns' about the way Bailey was treated, but she suggested the governor's staff — not Scott himself — was responsible." "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2015/01/29/controversy-continues-over-ouster-of-fdles-bailey/22513767/">Controversy continues over ouster of FDLE's Bailey</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Scott ignored crisis in corrections system"</strong><p> "In an exclusive interview with the Miami Herald, Former Florida Department of Corrections chief Mike Crews said few people in Tallahassee — and especially not the governor — had any interest in making sure the state’s prisons were safe or fully funded." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article8875121.html">Former Florida prisons chief says Gov. Rick Scott ignored crisis in corrections system</a>."<p> Paula Dockery: "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/31/dockery-cleaning-prison-mess/22628711/">Cleaning up the prison mess</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Rubio "purchased lock, stock and barrel by financial elites"?</strong><p> U F Prof, Paul Ortiz writes that "Marco Rubio has a decision to make."<blockquote><em>He was a star attraction at the recent Koch brothers’ forum in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Priming his base for an entry into the 2016 GOP presidential primary, the senator offered his ideas on taxes, foreign policy and national security. Rubio’s stances pleased the majority of those gathered.<p> But Rubio will not be able to charm the American people as easily. Convincing Charles Koch that he is qualified to lead the nation is one thing; proving to a majority of voters that he has the ability to be a good president is quite another.<p> Rubio is already in trouble with constituencies with whom he should be well-connected.<p> Many Hispanic voters view Rubio as a quitter on immigration reform. . . .<p> In a nation still working its way out of the Great Recession, the senator’s silence on economic issues is also cause for worry. . . .<p> If the senator from Florida continues wasting political capital on failed policies — extending the embargo on Cuba, for example — while ignoring the concerns of ordinary Americans, he is going to discover that all of the cash in the Koch treasuries will not buy him a seat in the White House.<p> Americans are weary of a political system that is purchased lock, stock and barrel by financial elites. Giving them more of the same is not going to win an election</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2015/01/31/ortiz-marco-rubio-needs-straighten-priorities/22608219/">Marco Rubio needs to straighten priorities</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Late-to-the-game</strong><p> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/columnists/orlnews-scott-maxwell-20130507-staff.html">Scott Maxwell</a> writes that "former Senate President Don Gaetz, a powerful Republican and former school superintendent who voted for many of the [school] accountability measures" now "fears the testing train has jumped the tracks — that we're no longer testing kids simply to see what they have learned, but are forsaking learning in the name of testing."<blockquote><em>Bless you, Don Gaetz. For you are listening. You have heard the voices of concerned parents and dedicated teachers. It has grown from a low rumble to a deafening roar.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-florida-school-testing-scott-maxwell-20150131-column.html#navtype=outfit">Florida's school-testing insanity may soon be curbed</a>."<p> Haven't the teachers' unions been saying this for years?<p><br><p><strong>Weekly Roundup</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/weekly-roundup-rick-scott-hopes-early-spring">Weekly Roundup: Rick Scott Hopes for An Early Spring</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Ideologically blinded legislators"</strong><p> The <i>Orlando Sentinel</i> editors: "Two years ago, an advocate for accepting billions of federal dollars to expand health-care coverage to at least 800,000 uninsured Floridians called the policy 'a compassionate, common-sense step forward.'"<blockquote><em>But this year, with an expansion proposal drafted by business leaders on the table, that advocate — Gov. Rick Scott — has lost his voice on the issue. When asked about it last week by reporters, he told them, "I'm going to focus on jobs and education."<p> Scott's silence could doom the proposal, because it'll need an outspoken champion to win over the ideologically blinded legislators who oppose it — starting with House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, who said his chamber has no plans to consider it.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-expand-medicaid-20150130-story.html">Free-market health plan needs boost from Scott</a>."<p><br><p><strong>One Pot</strong><p> "Money that Florida voters want to use for land and water conservation efforts would go into a single trust fund under a new Senate proposal, but lawmakers are still weeks away from deciding how they will use the money." "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/30/sen-charlie-dean-proposes-putting-conservation-money-pot/22627041/">Sen. Charlie Dean proposes putting conservation money in 1 pot</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/02/jeb-bush-also-ran-in-iowa-poll.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-5466781168513585420Thu, 29 Jan 2015 14:16:00 +00002015-01-29T09:16:29.950-05:00Scott bows to his Flabagger masters in the LegislatureBowing to his Flabagger masters in the Legislature,<blockquote><em>Scott's budget does not call for the expansion of Florida's Medicaid program. The governor two years ago supported the idea of expanding eligibility of the health care safety net program in order to draw down billions in federal aid available under the health care overhaul pushed by President Barack Obama.</em></blockquote>And yet again, Scott disrespects Florida's wildfire firefighters, state law enforcement officers, and other state employees - Scott wants<blockquote><em>No pay raises for state workers.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-rick-scott-proposed-budget-20150128-story.html">Scott proposes nearly $77 billion state budget</a>."<p> Indeed,<blockquote><em>State workers last got an across-the-board raise in 2013, their first such raise in six years. [and that after taking a pay cut in 2011 when Scott and the FlaGOP] passed a measure requiring Florida Retirement System participants to chip in 3 percent of their pay toward their retirement. "It's a slap in the face for state workers," Edson said. "Here they've had to put in 3 percent in their retirement, and that's money that when they were hired it was understood that they wouldn't have to pay." . . .<p> Florida [already] has the country's lowest ratio of state employees to the population — 108 per 10,000 residents.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/28/gov-rick-scott-proposes-cutting-state-positions/22491473/">Scott proposes cutting 1,000 state positions</a>." More: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/rick-scott-makes-673-million-tax-cuts-showcase-budget-proposal">Rick Scott Makes $673 Million in Tax Cuts the Showpiece of Budget Proposal</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Good luck with that</strong><p> Back at the ranch,"<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/28/democratic-leaders-lay-priorities/22496757/">Democratic leaders lay out priorities</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/democrats-unveil-2015-agenda-florida-legislature">Democrats Unveil 2015 Agenda for Florida Legislature</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Southerland in a skirt"</strong><p> Bill Cotterell reports that "voted in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline. She voted with the Republicans to roll back some Wall Street reforms. She voted for the new majority’s idea of requiring cost-benefit analyses for changes in federal regulations. Graham even said she’d sit with a GOP member at the State of the State address, a symbolic visual gesture to underscore “the North Florida way” of bipartisanship. Many Democrats around here, who were so giddy when Graham won on Nov. 4, now think they got Southerland in a skirt." "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2015/01/28/cotterell-gwen-graham-showing-independence/22472271/">Gwen Graham is showing independence</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Raw political courage</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-state-lawmakers-priorities-20150128-story.html#navtype=outfit">GOP leaders vow to cut taxes, spend more on public education</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Curbelo will have big seat at the table</strong><p> "In his first term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., will have a big seat at the table when it comes to transportation issues." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/freshman-carlos-curbelo-claims-big-role-transportation">Freshman Carlos Curbelo Claims a Big Role on Transportation</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Baileygate heats up as "Scott vigorously denied doing anything wrong"</strong><p> "A St. Petersburg attorney is asking a Tallahassee prosecutor to investigate whether Gov. Rick Scott and three Cabinet officials violated the state's open meetings law in the ouster of Gerald Bailey."<blockquote><em>Matthew Weidner filed his complaint Wednesday. It came the same day Gov. Rick Scott vigorously denied doing anything wrong in the dismissal of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-cabinet-open-meetings-20150128-story.html">Attorney asks for probe of Scott, Cabinet over Bailey's ouster</a>." More: "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-cabinet-open-meetings-20150128-story.html#navtype=outfit">Attorney asks for probe of Scott, Cabinet over Bailey's ouster</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Drones</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/will-florida-allow-drones-survey-agriculture">Will Florida Allow Drones to Survey Agriculture?</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Less sunshine?</strong><p> "Public records and access to them continue to be limited, warned First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Petersen on Wednesday." "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/28/foundation-keeping-eye-public-records-exemptions/22494603/">Foundation keeping an eye on public records exemptions</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Bondi acknowledges she had no proof"</strong><p> Abdicating her responsibility as Florida's Chief Law enforcement officer, <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-cabinet-open-meetings-20150128-story.html">Attorney General Pam Bondi stands by her man</a>, contending "that Scott didn't approve of Bailey's ouster."<blockquote><em>Bondi instead suggested it was the governor's staff who pressed Bailey to resign from his job.<p> "Did I know that Jerry Bailey was going to be told he was fired and have his things packed up, his entire life as a career law enforcement officer in a cardboard box, and be told to be out of the office before the end of the day? Absolutely not. Nor do I believe the governor knew it," Bondi said to reporters.<p> Later, she added: "I do not think that Rick Scott would do that. I think it was done at the staff level. I firmly believe it was done at the staff level."</em></blockquote>Of course, "Bondi acknowledged she had no proof to back her opinion and had not discussed the matter with Scott."<p><br><p><strong>"Civil war brewing in Florida politics"</strong><p> "There’a civil war brewing in Florida politics and it’s over what to " You see, "in the Senate, both of Florida’s senators -- Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio -- want to send assistance to rebels looking to take down the Syrian government. Nelson even took to the Senate floor on Wednesday and called for America to provide training and weapons to the Syrian forces battling Islamic State (IS) forces." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/bill-nelson-marco-rubio-break-conservatives-and-liberals-syria">Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio Break With Conservatives and Liberals on Syria</a>." Related: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/marco-rubio-takes-over-western-hemisphere-subcommittee-expands-foreign-policy-credentials">Marco Rubio Takes Over Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Expands Foreign Policy Credentials</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Amendment 1 betrayal</strong><p> "Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Wednesday that a portion of Amendment 1 funds would be better spent on improving municipal water and waste-water systems in some areas, but supporters who successfully pushed the amendment say that is not what voters approved." "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/28/debate-heats-amendment-funds/22495003/">Policy and Politics 9 hours ago 11:46 p.m. Debate heats up over Amendment 1 funds</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/scott-bows-to-his-flabagger-masters-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-8858106532514395606Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:56:00 +00002015-01-28T09:12:12.745-05:00Legislature attacks League of Women Voters' proposal as "politically corrupt"In filings with the Florida Supreme Court, "attorneys for the Legislature say groups suing the state over its congressional districts submitted 'politically corrupt' maps as part of the challenge."<blockquote><em>It’s the latest in a lengthy and high-profile legal battle after a coalition of plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters of Florida, filed a lawsuit in 2012 arguing the congressional districts were drawn to favor the GOP.</em></blockquote>"This summer, Circuit Judge Terry Lewis found the state’s congressional maps were drawn to favor Republicans."<blockquote><em>Lawmakers redrew those maps, which received Lewis’ approval in August. Oral arguments in the plaintiffs’ appeal of that decision are set to be heard by the Florida Supreme Court early next month.<p><p> The lawsuit has featured reams of legal documents dotted with colorfully disparaging comments as both sides have attacked the other’s credibility to cast them as being influenced by political operatives. </em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/new-shots-fired-in-battle-over-voting-districts-20150128/?page=1">New shots fired in battle over voting districts</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Republican scramble</strong><p> "Republican voters went to the polls in special elections needed after former Sen. John Thrasher accepted the presidency of Florida State University, setting off scrambles for his Florida Senate seat and two Florida House seats vacated in the aftermath of his resignation." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/travis-hutson-cyndi-stevenson-and-paul-renner-win-legislative-special-election-primaries">Hutson, Stevenson and Renner Win Legislative Special Election Primaries</a>." See also "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74474/gop-primary-results/">GOP Primary: Paul Renner Wins For House, Travis Hutson Wins For Senate</a>."<p> Background: "<a href="http://flaglerlive.com/74440/special-election-primary/">An Election For Republicans Only That Will Likely Decide Flagler’s House and Senate Seats</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Runnin' Gub'mint like a bidness</strong><p> "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/jury-awards-340000-to-fired-state-corrections-officials-in-whistle-blower-suit-20150128/?page=2">Jury awards $340,000 to fired state corrections officials in whistle-blower suit</a>." Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/senate-bill-targets-troubled-prison-system">Senate Bill Targets Troubled Prison System</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Insurance Commissioner dodges media, huddles with lobbyist</strong><p> Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin "McCarty refused to talk to reporters after his speech and instead met privately with a Holland & Knight policy adviser who does lobbying." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-ap-florida-states-insurance-industry-20150127-story.html#navtype=outfit">Atwater: Stress tests may instill confidence in insurance</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Surely the Flabaggers will oppose this?</strong><p> "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/hud-announces-18b-in-grants-for-homeless-20150127/?page=1">HUD announces $1.8 billion in grants for homeless</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Second amendment stoopid</strong><p> "A Merritt Island man was charged with accidentally shooting and killing a 17-year-old while they were listening to music, a Brevard County Sheriff's spokesman said." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-douglas-winslow-dead-rodney-patrick-jr-arrested-20150127-story.html#navtype=outfit">Deputies: Man accidentally kills teen while acting out music lyrics</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Looks to be a banner session for lobbyists</strong><p> "The country’s big beer companies have set their sights on craft brewers in the Sunshine State -- again." "<a href="http://fcir.org/2015/01/27/florida-craft-brewers-gear-up-for-another-fight/">Florida Craft Brewers Gear Up For Another Fight</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Local gub'mint funds 55.6% of Florida’s total state and local revenue</strong><p> More evidence of the irresponsibility of our elected officials in Tally. The <i>Tampa Tribune</i> editors point out that<blockquote><em>Florida relies more heavily on local governments to fund services than almost every state. Local governments fund 55.6 percent of Florida’s total state and local revenue, the second-highest percentage in the nation.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/editorial-cut-communications-tax-with-care-20150128/?page=1">Cut communications tax with care</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Wingnut caucus</strong><p> "A Florida congressman is one of the founders of a new congressional caucus which hopes to ensure the GOP majority in the U.S. House is staunchly conservative." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/ron-desantis-helps-launch-house-freedom-caucus">Ron DeSantis Helps Launch House Freedom Caucus</a>." Meanwhile, "Conservatives in Congress are launching an effort pushing back against President Barack Obama on Common Core standards with members of the Florida delegation -- including Tom Rooney -- backing [the bill by Rep. Joe Wilson’s, R-S.C]. . . . Wilson’s bill has drawn more than 30 co-sponsors including three Republican congressmen from Florida: U.S. Reps. Curt Clawson, Ron DeSantis and Tom Rooney." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/florida-congressmen-join-joe-wilsons-fight-against-obama-common-core">Joe Wilson's Common Core Fight Against Obama Joined by Florida Congressmen</a>."<p><br><p><p><strong>Big sugar gets a pass</strong><p> "Florida Gov. Rick Scott is promising to dedicate tens of millions to helping the Everglades." "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/rick-scott-to-pledge-millions-for-everglades-restoration-20150127/?page=1">Gov. Scott to pledge millions for Everglades restoration</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Webster stripped of Rules Committee assignment</strong><p> "Stripped of his assignment on the Rules Committee after challenging U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to lead the chamber, U.S. House Dan Webster, R-Fla., kept his posts on the Water Resources and Environment, and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials subcommittees of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Florida congressman also claimed a new spot on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/after-failed-challenge-john-boehner-dan-webster-expands-role-transportation-and-infrastructure">After Failed Challenge to John Boehner, Dan Webster Expands Subcommittee Role</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/legislature-attacks-league-of-women.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-103164410254692718Mon, 26 Jan 2015 15:30:00 +00002015-01-26T10:30:01.920-05:00Florida politicians pondering Senate run"With less than two years to go before the election, Florida politicians are already pondering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2016."<blockquote><em>Many of the Democrats and all of the potential Republican candidates, however, will most likely wait to see what incumbent Marco Rubio will do next. The Republican from Miami is considering a run for president in 2016.<p> U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson of Orlando last week became the first of potential major Democratic candidates to say publicly he was seriously exploring the idea. U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Jupiter has also declared an interest.<p> Other Democrats said to be considering the race include U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, former state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.</em></blockquote>"And if Rubio decides to not seek re-election and run for president instead, Florida Republicans would have plenty of potential candidates."<blockquote><em>Most often cited are former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford; U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Bradenton; and three Florida Cabinet members, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The latter two, however, are said to be focused on the next governor's race.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-us-senate-race-in-florida-2016-20150125-story.html#navtype=outfit">All eyes on Rubio as 2016 U.S. Senate talk begins</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/marco-rubio-launching-pad-chances-are-he-wont-blast-2016-jeb-bush-mix">Rubio on the Launching Pad, but Will He Blast Off with Jeb in the Mix?</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-poll-florida-democrat-senate-20150126-htmlstory.html#navtype=outfit">Who's Florida Democrats' best hope for Senate?</a>"<p><br><p><strong>The best they can do</strong><p> "Travis Hutson is starting to pull ahead of Doc Renuart in the final days in the fight for the open Florida Senate seat that had been held by John Thrasher before he became president of FSU." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/travis-hutson-favorite-over-doc-renuart-florida-senate-seat">Travis Hutson Favored Over Doc Renuart for Florida Senate Seat</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Governor’s duplicity"</strong><p> Dockery: "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/24/dockery-governors-duplicity-bailey-ouster-warrants-investigation/22305583/">Governor’s duplicity on Bailey ouster warrants investigation</a>" (subscription).<p><br><p><strong>"Economy would come to a screeching halt if people actually had to pay fair-market, fair-wage prices"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/columnists/orlnews-scott-maxwell-20130507-staff.html">Scott Maxwell</a> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-everify-immigration-florida-scott-maxwell-20150124-column.html">finds</a> "it fascinating when the same people who gripe about illegal immigration get incensed at the idea of paying a penny a pound more for tomatoes."<blockquote><em>Who on Earth do you think is picking your tomatoes for a measly 50 cents for every 32-pound bucket?<p> Labor stats show that upward of 50 percent of America's agriculture workforce is undocumented.<p> Big Agriculture says it's much higher. And they don't want to be forced to hire only U.S. citizens — because it costs more to play by the rules. . . .<p> Florida's governor actually said it'd be "foolish" to force companies to follow the law.<p> See, America's dirty little secret is that our entire economy is built on cheap labor. And cheap food. And cheap everything.<p> Partly because we love a deal. But mainly because we can't afford anything more.<p> America's middle class has shrunk. The ranks of the poor are growing.<p> When I was a child, one parent could hold a decent job and still buy a house and provide for a family. Today, both parents often work — and it's still not enough. Especially in a place like Central Florida, the lowest-paying metro area in America.<p> So, with working-class wages stagnating, the entire economy would come to a screeching halt if people actually had to pay fair-market, fair-wage prices for bread and milk.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-everify-immigration-florida-scott-maxwell-20150124-column.html#navtype=outfit">Immigration debate really about low wages, cheap products</a>" (subscription).<p><br><p><strong>Baileygate</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a> writes that "the governor is exactly where the buck stops. If Baileygate is the tip of an iceberg, Scott IS the iceberg."<blockquote><em></em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/theres-lesson-baileygate-and-allegations-fdle-meddling">There's a Lesson in Baileygate and Allegations of FDLE Meddling</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Weak bench</strong><p> "U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has inched his way into second place as a potential 2016 Republican presidential primary candidate, placing only <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnzogby/2015/01/22/zogby-analytics-gop-poll-mitt-leads-but-rubio-rises/">three percentage points behind</a> former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney."<blockquote><em>In the poll breakdown, Rubio fared much better with female voters than other possible primary nominees. He received 22 percent of women among self-identified Republicans and conservatives, while other nominees like Romney walked away with only 14 percent of the same demographic.<p> Among men, however, Rubio has a lot of ground to cover. He only takes 4 percent of the vote among self-identified Republicans and conservative men, while Romney and Bush take 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively.<p> Republicans have significantly underperformed among single women during the last two presidential elections. The Zogby poll is an indication Rubio could be the GOP’s answer to moving more of these female voters into the Republican column in 2016.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/latest-zogby-poll-declares-marco-rubio-real-player">Latest Zogby Poll Declares Rubio a Real 'Player'</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/florida-politicians-pondering-senate-run.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-7889827706067978263Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:29:00 +00002015-01-25T12:33:35.969-05:00Jeb apparently "presided over bogus accounting statements and fictional business deals"The <i>Tampa Bay Times</i> <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/at-innovida-the-ceo-hired-jeb-bush-and-went-to-prison/2214965">reports</a> that "Jeb Bush was out of the Florida governor's mansion for less than a year when he signed a $15,000-a-month consulting deal with InnoVida, a Miami start-up promising to revolutionize affordable housing with remarkably sturdy and lightweight building panels."<blockquote><em>But InnoVida never delivered. Instead, the company crashed amid bankruptcy and fraud investigations that ultimately landed its charming CEO, Claudio Osorio, in federal prison for nearly 13 years.<p> A bankruptcy trustee went after Bush's fees, and in 2013 the former two-term governor agreed to pay back more than half of the $470,000 he collected as a consultant between late 2007 and the fall of 2010.<p> Bush, who also served on InnoVida's board, was never accused of wrongdoing in Osorio's Ponzi-like swindle that prosecutors said netted him and other co-conspirators about $50 million. But InnoVida occupies noteworthy real estate in the broad landscape of Bush's business dealings, since it's the only one to have ended in the kind of full-blown scandal that occurs when a CEO is led away in handcuffs.<p> InnoVida's salacious finale is drawing renewed attention as Bush readies for a presidential run. The Republican touting the power of free enterprise in his "Right to Rise" campaign served on a corporate board that presided over a venture fraught with bogus accounting statements and fictional business deals.</em></blockquote>"Miami attorney Linda Worton Jackson, who has represented InnoVida creditors in the bankruptcy case, faulted the board of directors for lacking leadership, failing to properly oversee Osorio, and missing warning signs as he dodged questions and provided evasive answers about the company's finances."<blockquote><em>"When someone as prominent as Jeb Bush lends his name to a company, it gives the creditors a level of false security," Jackson told the Miami Herald. "Creditors assume that he is scrutinizing the company rather than receiving stock and money for simply ratifying each decision by Osorio. This is precisely the reason con artists encourage prominent people to be a part of the fraudulent company."<p> A Bush spokeswoman said the former governor had concerns "toward the end of the relationship" about InnoVida's governance and financial disclosures and took action in 2010 once he realized there was a severe problem at the company. She noted his settlement with the bankruptcy trustee includes language praising his assistance.</em></blockquote>"Out of public life since January 2007, Bush's private-sector dealings with InnoVida and other companies are now often cited as a potential political vulnerability."<blockquote><em>He served five years as a director of <u>Swisher Hygiene</u>, overlapping with a time when the Charlotte-based seller of sanitary supplies issued faulty earnings reports that later had to be restated. <u>Lehman Brothers</u> hired Bush as a consultant in 2007 as the investment bank was heading toward a stunning 2008 bankruptcy that contributed to the global financial crisis.<p> His former board seat at <u>Tenet Healthcare</u> left Bush with stock holdings valued at $2.4 million last year, equity boosted by the company's profits under the Affordable Care Act — the signature Obama administration program that Bush continues to slam.<p> The rise and fall of Osorio's InnoVida is a classic Miami tale of a connected con man with famous friends, a ritzy waterfront house and a smooth sales pitch. There was also a complex web of corporations and subsidiaries that spanned the globe. Bush signed a finders-fee deal with an InnoVida entity in the Cayman Islands, and said he flew to Dubai to inspect the company's outpost there.</em></blockquote>Much more here: "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/at-innovida-the-ceo-hired-jeb-bush-and-went-to-prison/2214965">At InnoVida, the CEO hired Jeb Bush and went to prison</a>." Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/jeb-bush-tests-a-stump-speech-in-san-francisco/2215006">Jeb Bush tests a stump speech in San Francisco</a>."<p> Its an old story, here's a <i>St. Pete Times</i> article from 1998: "<a href="http://www.sptimes.com/State/92098/Make_The_Money_and_Ru.html">Jeb Bush: Make the money and run</a>" - "Bush's hurried quest for financial success also reveals a naive reliance on his benefactors and a lack of scrutiny of those around him. He tapped his father's Washington connections to recruit help for some questionable businessmen, including one felon who remains a fugitive wanted by the FBI. He embraced business deals that have prompted lawsuits alleging mismanagement, stock manipulation and special treatment." To which we say, Run Jeb! Run!<p><br><p><strong>Even (some) wingers get it</strong><p> "It may surprise you to discover a growing number of social conservatives and libertarians are questioning the alignment of capital punishment with conservative principles and values."<p> A bit late to the game, wingers are recognizing that the<blockquote><em>"DNA era has given us irrefutable proof that our criminal justice system sentences innocent people to die. Evidence we once thought reliable, like eyewitness identification, is not always accurate. DNA evidence has led to hundreds of exonerations, but it isn’t available in most cases.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/capital-punishment-anti-conservative-and-bad-florida-group-claims">Group Claims Capital Punishment Is Anti-Conservative and Bad in Florida</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Cuba negotiations heat up</strong><p> "Follow [the <i>Herald</i>'s] tweets as Roberta S. Jacobson, America's top diplomat for Latin America, offers her assessment of negotiations with Cuban officials." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article8068833.html">Exclusive: Senior U.S. diplomat, back from Havana, offers insight on Cuba relations</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Weekly Roundup</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/brandon-larrabee-news-service-florida-0">Brandon Larrabee News Service of Florida</a>: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/weekly-roundup-trying-change-subject">Weekly Roundup: Trying to Change the Subject</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Baileygate</strong><p> "A Land O’Lakes man filed a formal complaint with the FBI asking for an investigation into a series of claims made last week by Gerald Bailey, whom Gov. Rick Scott ousted as commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article8036316.html">Calls for FDLE investigations grow as Gov. Rick Scott continues to avoid questions</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Big of him</strong><p> "The head of an important legislative committee and his entourage dropped in on two Florida prisons Thursday. Some of what he saw disturbed him." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/special-reports/florida-prisons/article8027769.html">Florida lawmaker drops in on prisons, finds problems</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Distrusting Scott</strong><p> The <i>Sarasota Herald</i> tribune editors: "In Florida's unique government, three officials and the governor -- all elected statewide -- share power on the Cabinet. That power-sharing arrangement is the most compelling reason for Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to grill Gov. Rick Scott over the departure of Gerald Bailey from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement."<blockquote><em>Atwater, Putnam and Bondi -- all of whom have further political ambitions -- should ask their staffs to determine whether Scott's office did, in fact, share the governor's intentions.<p> Also, the Cabinet members ought to explain why they went along with appointing Swearingen without asking many questions.<p> In any case, Scott owes the Cabinet and the public a thorough explanation of what transpired and why he recommended Swearingen, the insider.<p> What's more, although Scott's office has denied the allegations, some independent organization should investigate Bailey's assertions that former executive office aides asked him to target -- without evidence -- a local official in order to find scapegoats for the escape of state prisoners. In addition, reports of Republican Party funds being directed to the FDLE, which then sent them to the general fund, should be examined as well.<p> Florida's Cabinet system has its roots in historic distrust of an all-powerful executive. Scott's handling of Bailey's departure and his office's interactions with the FDLE underscore the reasons for that distrust.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20150125/OPINION/301259996/2198/OPINION?Title=Trouble-in-the-Cabinet">Trouble in the Cabinet</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Jeb!" eyes 2016</strong><p> "In his first public event since taking steps toward a presidential run, Jeb Bush on Friday called on political leaders to overhaul the country's immigration and education systems, increase job training programs and ease energy regulations to spur economic growth." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-2016-jeb-bush-focus-on-middle-class-20150123-story.html#navtype=outfit">Eyeing 2016, Jeb Bush signals focus on middle class</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Bits and Pieces</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/kevin-derby">Kevin Derby</a>: "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/political-bits-and-pieces-123">Political Bits and Pieces</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Condoleezza and Jeb, truly a fine pair</strong><p> "Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday tapped former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to serve as chairman of his education foundation, turning over the organization to the former diplomat and academic who remains popular inside the Republican Party." "<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150122_ap_fdbcf1090c8d4008bd8708d84bc2d779.html">Condoleezza Rice taking over Jeb Bush's education foundation.</a>"<p><br><p><strong>"3 1/2 Minutes"</strong><p> "A documentary about the case of a Jacksonville teenager fatally shot by a white man after an argument over loud music is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival."<blockquote><em>The film "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/3andahalfminutes">3 1/2 Minutes</a>" will air Saturday at the well-known festival in Utah.<p> The documentary comes after the recent first-degree conviction of 48-year-old Michael Dunn for the November 2012 slaying of Jordan Davis.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ap-michael-dunn-jordan-davis-documentary-20150124-story.html">Documentary about Florida loud music killing to premiere at Sundance</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/jeb-apparently-presided-over-bogus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-4748603059851962857Sat, 24 Jan 2015 00:21:00 +00002015-01-23T19:21:46.071-05:00No joke, Rubio to make presidential runIn news that will hearten empty suits everywhere: "In a major sign of his White House ambitions, Sen. Marco Rubio kicked off an election-strategy powwow Friday at the Delano Hotel by announcing a fundraising team that looked like a presidential campaign-in-waiting." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article8013126.html">Sen. Marco Rubio to aides: ‘prepare for a presidential campaign’</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Scott and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Month"</strong><p> "Scott was sworn in for his second term on Jan. 6 -- a little more than two weeks ago. It's pretty much been all downhill from there." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/backroom-briefing-rick-scott-and-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-month">Backroom Briefing: Scott and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Month</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Scott denies he's a crook</strong><p> "Florida Gov. Rick Scott, responding to an ongoing furor that is overshadowing his second term in office, provided a detailed response Thursday to allegations that he and his staff made improper and politically motivated requests to the state's former top law-enforcement official. The decision by Scott's office to release a two-page list of questions and answers came hours after two other statewide-elected Republicans said someone should look into the allegations made by former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-fdle-commissioner-probe-20150122-story.html#navtype=outfit">Scott fires back at ex-FDLE chief's allegations</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/governors-office-answers-questions-gerald-bailey-fdle">Governor's Office Answers on Gerald Bailey, FDLE</a>."<p> "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/scott-denies-allegations-in-fdle-firing-20150123/?page=1">Scott denies allegations in FDLE firing</a>." Meanwhile, "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article7935369.html">CFO Jeff Atwater, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam call for investigation into FDLE firing</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Weatherford's make-work-millions</strong><p> "Even though he is now out of office, Will Weatherford showed this week that he has no intention of heading toward the sidelines."<blockquote><em>Only 35, Weatherford just finished eight years in the Florida House including spending 2013 and 2014 as speaker. It's no secret that Weatherford has ambitions for even higher office and, with youth on his side, his star could go far. But his path up is blocked by several other Republicans and, after being term-limited, last year Weatherford had no immediate office to target. The question turns now to how Weatherford can remain in the public eye while getting ready for 2018 or whenever he decides to run again.<p> Part of that became evident this week. Earlier this week, Weatherford announced the formation of Weatherford Partners -- formed with two of his brothers including former FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford -- to tackle capital investment. Later in the week, the former House speaker also joined the board of directors of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, an organization his father-in-law Allan Bense has ties to. On Thursday, Weatherford announced he was joining the board of directors of Sunshine Bancorp.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/will-weatherford-shows-no-signs-going-away">Will Weatherford Shows No Signs of Going Away</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Haters in a dither</strong><p> "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/us-official-in-cuba-not-clear-if-new-policy-works-20150123/?page=1">US, Cuba end historic talks with more questions than answers</a>." Background: "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article8000745.html">State Department negotiator meets with Cuban dissidents</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/no-joke-rubio-to-make-presidential-run.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-1117279220784216249Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:00:00 +00002015-01-22T10:00:59.473-05:00Bondi last to BaileygateSteve Bousquet, Marc Caputo and Mary Ellen Klas report that "Florida Cabinet members are turning up the heat on Gov. Rick Scott over the botched removal of a top state police official, with [even] Attorney General Pam Bondi raising 'serious questions' about Scott's conduct."<blockquote><em>Bondi on Wednesday became the last of the three elected Republican Cabinet members to distance herself from the ouster last month of Gerald Bailey as commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Bailey alleges that Scott and his aides meddled in law enforcement business and used strong-arm tactics to pressure him to resign.</em></blockquote>But she hasn't quite grown a complete spine:<blockquote><em>Taking [only] indirect aim at Scott on his preference for secrecy over transparency, Bondi said that she and the public have a right to know the truth and that she would insist that the Bailey matter be discussed "thoroughly and in the sunshine" at the next Cabinet meeting Feb. 5.</em></blockquote>Big of her.<blockquote><em>All three Cabinet members have said they did not anticipate Bailey's ouster, but <u>not one of them publicly questioned the decision at last week's Cabinet meeting</u>.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/attorney-general-pam-bondi-raises-serious-questions-over-gov-rick-scotts/2214560">Attorney General Pam Bondi joins Cabinet scrutiny of Gov. Rick Scott's actions in FDLE firing</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Torpid editorial boards begin to call for an investigation</strong><p> The <i>Miami Herald</i> editors: "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article7805910.html">Investigate FDLE allegations</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"FDLE chief's ouster could force changes"</strong><p> "The abrupt ouster of the leader of Florida's main law-enforcement agency could lead to a major shake-up in how the state Cabinet and the governor hire top officials." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-fdle-commissioner-fight-20150121-story.html#navtype=outfit">FDLE chief's ouster could force changes in Cabinet hiring of leaders</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Second amendment stoopid</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/child-shot-self-in-east-lake/2214619">Pinellas toddler finds his father's gun, kills himself</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Bondi (included only for comic relief)"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/writers/john-romano">John Romano</a> <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/romano-if-rick-scott-gets-away-with-this-florida-is-in-trouble/2214618">writes</a>: "The words were polite and the tone was measured, but the message Gov. Rick Scott delivered in a letter to Jeff Atwater seems unmistakable:"<blockquote><em>Kiss off.<p> And while the letter was addressed to the state's chief financial officer, it might as well have gone to every politician in Tallahassee and every voter in Florida.<p> For what Scott really did was draw a line in the sand and ask if anyone was tough enough to cross it.<p> There really is no other way to interpret Scott's response when Atwater suggested the Cabinet reconsider the hiring of a new commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.</em></blockquote>Romano insists that Scott<blockquote><em>be called out by his Cabinet colleagues. By Atwater (a strong possibility), by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam (a lesser possibility) or by Attorney General Pam Bondi (included only for comic relief). . . .<p> More people voted against Scott than for him in consecutive gubernatorial elections. He has nothing approaching a mandate and no cause to believe he can act with impunity.<p> What he has done this week is behaved like a bully.<p> And if no one has the courage to knock him down, his disregard for laws, transparency and common courtesy will only get worse.</em></blockquote>Much more here: "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/romano-if-rick-scott-gets-away-with-this-florida-is-in-trouble/2214618">If Rick Scott gets away with this, Florida is in trouble</a>."<p><br><p><strong>JU, Really?</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/mitt-romney-receive-honorary-degree-ju">Mitt Romney to Receive Honorary Degree from JU</a>."<p><br><p>http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/bondi-last-to-baileygate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-8627313103585665298Thu, 22 Jan 2015 03:42:00 +00002015-01-21T22:43:45.550-05:00Bondi, Putnam and Atwater Turn on Scott after initially sitting on their handsBondi, Putnam and Atwater are now pleading ignorance.<p><blockquote><em>Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam [initially] followed along like sheep, praising Bailey, asking no questions and voting unanimously for his replacement. Only after Bailey said the governor lied by calling his abrupt departure voluntary did the Cabinet members perk up, plead ignorance and pronounce themselves dissatisfied.</em></blockquote>The <i>Tampa Bay Times</i> continues:<blockquote><em>The former FDLE commissioner said Scott staff members improperly asked him to discuss the governor's political positions, use the FDLE to ferry campaign workers, and delete emails to his state computer that sought campaign contributions (which should be a public records violation). Bailey said he refused, and he was out.<p><p> But Bailey's most serious allegation is that Scott's former chief of staff pressured him to falsely name an Orange County court clerk the target of a criminal investigation after two prison inmates used forged court documents to escape in 2013. Bailey said he refused and was criticized by Scott's staff. The governor's office says this allegation is untrue, but the Cabinet and the Legislature should question Scott, Bailey and the governor's staff in a public setting.</em></blockquote>Only now, with the heat on, are FlaGOP<blockquote><em>Cabinet members are starting to assert themselves. Putnam was the first to express his unhappiness, and now Atwater and Bondi have called for a public discussion about the FDLE situation at the Feb. 5 meeting of the governor and Cabinet. Scott has doubled down, saying he also wants to replace three heads of agencies that report to the governor and Cabinet — including state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-florida-cabinet-should-stand-up-to-gov-rick-scott/2214606">Editorial: Florida Cabinet should stand up to Gov. Rick Scott</a>."<p> See also "<a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2015/01/21/integrity-florida-calls-for-federal-probe-into-bailey-allegations/22106887/">Controversy grows over FDLE chief's exit</a>," "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-fdle-commissioner-fight-20150121-story.html#navtype=outfit">FDLE chief's ouster could force changes in Cabinet hiring of leaders</a>" and "<a href="http://tbo.com/news/politics/officials-in-gov-scotts-cross-hairs-remain-tight-lipped-20150121/?page=1">Officials in Gov. Scott’s cross-hairs remain tight-lipped</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/bondi-putnam-and-atwater-turn-on-scott.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8877087.post-6696785712243069647Wed, 21 Jan 2015 15:24:00 +00002015-01-21T10:24:52.972-05:00"Scott engulfed in a full-blown crisis""It was the strongest sign yet that all three elected officials, under fire for not questioning the forced resignation of former FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey, are distancing themselves from Scott, now engulfed in a full-blown crisis barely two weeks into his second term." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article7815549.html">Florida CFO Jeff Atwater breaks with Gov. Rick Scott, wants new search for FDLE chief</a>."<p> Scott Maxwell <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-fdle-rick-scott-maxwell-20150120-column.html#navtype=outfit">writes</a> that "the latest accusations against Scott aren't coming from longtime critics. They're coming from one of Florida's top law-enforcement officials — a respected veteran who worked closely with the governor for the past four years."<blockquote><em>And that, my friends, is a big deal ... and why Scott now has a full-fledged scandal on his hands.<p> For those who missed it, the former head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement — 35-year-veteran Gerald Bailey — has started spilling the beans.<p> Bailey portrays Scott and his staff as a group of unethical, hard-core politicos who would go to great lengths — willing even to fabricate a criminal investigation — to get themselves out of a jam.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-fdle-rick-scott-maxwell-20150120-column.html#navtype=outfit">Rick Scott's FDLE scandal blows open, demands probe</a>."<p> More: "The sudden ouster of the leader of Florida's main law-enforcement agency is now causing a rift between Gov. Rick Scott and other top Republicans less than a month after his second term in office started." "<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ap-fdle-commissioner-fight-20150121-story.html#navtype=outfit">Atwater, Scott tangle over FDLE chief's ouster</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Hiaasen drinks the Kool-aid</strong><p> Carl Hiaasen buys into the mainstream line, that if "you're Hillary, you're nervous about Jeb because he remains well-liked in Florida although he hasn't campaigned for office in more than a decade." "<a href="http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/01/19/4337560/carl-hiaasen-jeb-could-ruin-hillarys.html">Jeb could ruin Hillary's political run</a>."<p> But the usually astute Hiaasen overlooks the fact that polling shows that Floridians ain't impressed with Jeb, and even a very recent Republican oriented "poll shows Clinton taking 37 percent while Bush is right behind with 36 percent. But, despite Florida voters' familiarity with both candidates, more than a quarter of those surveyed -- 28 percent -- are undecided." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/hillary-clinton-and-jeb-bush-close-florida-2016-poll-marco-rubio-lags-behind">Hillary and Jeb Close in Florida in 2016 Poll</a>."<p> It is not hard to imagine what the "undecided" voters will do - many of who were not around during Jeb's reign - when the national media reminds them of Bush's extremism. Consider:<blockquote><em>S.V. Date, author of Jeb: America’s Next Bush, wrote in <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/12/jeb-bush-reinvention-113282.html#.VJNMYGTOr2Y">Politico</a> magazine that the push to label Jeb a moderate was “mind-boggling.” Veteran Tampa Bay Times reporter Adam Smith mocked the idea Bush was a “moderate squish” in a column that quoted Bush-era legislative leaders from both parties alternately lauding and condemning his conservative ways.<p> “For us who live in Florida, who experienced the eight-year Jeb Bush governorship, <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/adam-c-smith-jeb-bush-a-moderate-squish-florida-knows-different/2209187">it’s almost laughable and maybe even hysterical</a> for people who live outside of Florida to claim that he’s a moderate,” former state House Speaker Will Weatherford told Smith.</em></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/jeb-bush-was-severely-conservative-governor-will-the-gop-care?cid=eml_mda_20141219">Jeb Bush was a severely conservative governor – will the GOP care?</a>"<p><br><p><strong>Its complicated</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a>: "" "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/seminole-hard-rock-obstructs-scott-walkers-presidential-aspirations">Seminole Hard Rock Obstructs Scott Walker's Presidential Aspirations</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jax laff riot</strong><p> "Republican mayoral challenger Lenny Curry knocked Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown over the city’s pension woes in a recent campaign flier mailed to some voters, which blasts Brown for playing politics on big issues and having 'made a mess of things in City Hall.'" "<a href="http://jacksonville.com/news/politics/2015-01-19/story/alvin-brown-campaign-labels-lenny-curry-flier-hit-piece">Alvin Brown campaign labels Lenny Curry flier 'a hit piece'</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Bondi dodges Bailey scandal</strong><p> The below <a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/01/bondi-mum-on-ouster-of-fdles-bailey.html">transcript</a> in the <i>Miami Herald</i> shows just how determined Bondi is in avoiding the questions about the ouster of FDLE Chief, Bailey:<blockquote><em>Question: You’re in law enforcement, you haven’t said anything about (Bailey’s) exit. Can you shed a little light on your feelings of Bailey leaving the FDLE?<p> Bondi: Oh, I think he’s an amazing man. It’s interesting because I almost talked about him today.<p> Question: Why didn’t you?<p> Bondi: It escaped me. They kept going. But he’s a very private man. But I’ve been talking to my staff about doing something in his honor.<p> Question: As a cabinet member you do have some authority on his leaving.<p> Bondi: Yes. And I think the world of Commissioner Bailey.<p> Question: Why is he leaving?<p> Bondi: I do not know.<p> Question: Have you asked Gov. Scott why he’s leaving?<p> Bondi: I can tell you that I’ve know Commissioner Bailey for many many years. In fact, I knew him back when he prosecuted the boot camp case back in the days of (Former FDLE Commissioner) Guy Tunnel when I was a prosecutor. And Gerry Bailey came into this agency and restored integrity, so I think the world of Gerald Bailey.<p> Question: So why would you not ask questions about his departure?<p> Bondi: I’m fine with (new FDLE Commissioner) Rick Swearingen. I think Gerry Bailey has retired. I think he’s a very private person. And you can talk to him about that.<p> Question: But apparently, the understanding is that (Bailey) stepped down because he was told that he no longer had confidence and support from members of the Cabinet, which includes you. So are you saying at no point in time that you ever communicated to anyone in the Scott administration that you were willing to get rid of Commissioner Bailey?<p> Bondi: I think the world of Commissioner Bailey.<p> Question: You’re not answering the question.<p> Bondi: I think the world of Commissioner Bailey.<p> Question: So you don't think Florida taxpayers deserve to know whether or not their top law enforcement official was forced out?<p> Bondi: I think the world of Commissioner Bailey.</em></blockquote>Read it all here: "<a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/01/bondi-mum-on-ouster-of-fdles-bailey.html">Bondi mum on ouster of FDLE's Bailey</a>."<p><br><p><strong>"Not exactly friendly territory for female legislators"</strong><p> <a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/jeff-henderson-1">Jeff Henderson</a>: "The Florida House isn’t exactly friendly territory for female legislators, and plenty of them -- usually on the Democratic side -- will note that a woman has never led it as speaker. But there are plenty of women who have been moving up in the leadership ranks, including Marti Coley as speaker pro tempore last session and Dana Young who currently is the House majority leader." "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/dana-young-one-powers-florida-house">Dana Young One of the Powers of the Florida House</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Jeb and the "militant Cuban exiles"? Oh never mind</strong><p> Florida's Batista-apologists are in a full-on whine: "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article7811046.html">Miami lawmakers join Cuban advocates to blast Obama plan</a>." See also "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/florida-politicians-break-down-party-lines-over-obamas-state-union">Florida Politicians Break on Party Lines Over Obama's State of the Union</a>" and "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article7836816.html">South Florida lawmakers’ reactions to President Obama’s speech</a>."<p> Meanwhile, these "Cuban freedom fighters" have never asked Jeb Bush to account for his being "instrumental in securing the release from prison of militant Cuban exiles convicted of terrorist offences, according to a [2002] book." Jebbie's "connections go back to 1984 when [he] began a close association with Camilo Padreda, a former intelligence officer with the Batista dictatorship overthrown by Fidel Castro."<p> By the way, the book in question, <a href="http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/58544/kenneth-maxwell/cuba-confidential-love-and-vengeance-in-miami-and-havana">the book has been positively reviewed by, among others, the venerable <i>Foreign Affairs</i></a>, which calls it as a "marvelous and evocative deconstruction of the incestuous relationships and hardball tactics that have kept Cuba firmly under Fidel Castro and U.S. policy toward Cuba paralyzed under the influence of Miami's Cuban Americans."<p><br><p><strong>Another fine FlaBagger</strong><p> "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/curt-clawson-takes-aim-obama-tea-party-response-state-union">Curt Clawson Takes Aim at Obama in Tea Party Response to State of the Union</a>."<p><br><p><strong>Form over substance</strong><p> "The nation’s highest court heard arguments in a case from Florida that tests whether states can prohibit judicial candidates from making personal appeals for campaign donations." "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article7658081.html">Justices debate Fla. judicial candidates' campaign appeals</a>."http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/2015/01/scott-engulfed-in-full-blown-crisis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Florida Politics)